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remarker | MAY 17, 2012
news Saying farewell, ‘HAP’ is going home
Arab Spring | 3
Cum Laude | 4
D E PA R T I N G
Eagle Scout | 5
F A C U LT Y,
vegetable garden | 6
S TA F F
H
is worn black briefcase is tired of opening and closing, scarfing down ungraded papers and spitting out ones marked with black pen, harsh critiques and flattering comments. The lapels of the khaki jacket have been pressed around his shoulders long enough.
After bringing the famous Harkness table and the infamous family history paper to the scholarly atmosphere of the school, after 28 years of pacing the halls of generations of buildings and after a lifetime of quoting Shakespeare, leading Evensong, travelling Europe and receiving a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, Malcolm K. and Minda Brachman Master Teacher Dr. Henry Ploegstra is officially retiring at the end of the 2012 school year. The suit, the briefcase, the steady stream of pleasantries. The iconic mentor is done.
dents at 10600 Preston Road that Ploegstra openly radiates throughout the beige halls of Centennial, it’s no wonder he has succeeded in making monumental impacts throughout the core curriculum and structure of the school. Through the innumerable Harkness tables dotting classrooms and through the iconic sophomore family history paper, every student that has entered the confines of this school has felt his almost tangible influence. “Dr. Ploegstra has contributed to St. Mark’s in so many ways over the past 28 years,” Headmaster Arnie Holtberg said. “His teaching has been superb. His stimulation of thinking and writing have been excellent. Methods of teaching have evolved if not have been transformed, and I think Dr. Ploegstra can be credited with leading the way there.” Holtberg could rain an endless amount of praise on Ploegstra. There is so much to say about a man who has done so much. In addition to the heightened intellectual life that Ploegstra has instituted at 10600 Preston Road, he has also served as verger for the chapel’s Evensong events, a position he describes as “leading the parade in and out [of the chapel].” “He’s contributed to the life of the chapel,” Holtberg said. “and was celebrated the other night in chapel at the Evensong service for doing that.” loegstra is, for all definitions of the word, a St. Mark’s renaissance man. “He is a faculty member who attends many events from the arts to the sports to all the things that our boys do,” Holtberg said. “Therefore, he makes a difference. He contributes to the fabric of the place and the spirit of the place.” And though he’s praised immensely by his colleagues, his students and his alumni, Ploegstra stays humble. “I’m somebody that comes to work everyday,” he said. “I just show up and do the best I can. I made a lot of small mistakes, but I don’t think I made any big ones. At least, if I did make some, I don’t know what they are yet.” And the truth is, he hasn’t made any big ones. Because the students have his back. “Students and teachers are in this together,” Ploegstra said. “It’s not a competition and it’s not a rivalry and it’s not a confrontation. It’s people around the table trying to figure out things.” And no matter how cliché it sounds, it’s always about the students. Always. “Dr. Ploegstra forms long and happy friendships with lots of students,” English Department
P HAP After 28 years at the school, Malcolm K. and Minda Brachman Master Teacher Dr. Henry Alden Ploegstra is retiring and moving to Holland, MI.
Leaving 10600 Preston Road after 28 years, longtime campus icon contributed greatly to school life
“I’m 77 years old,” he said, laughing wildly. “I’ve been teaching for more than 50 years. I don’t want to grade any more papers.” With a tenure of 28 years under his belt, Ploegstra might have a hard time letting go of the society that has embraced him and that has been embraced by him. “I’ll miss Friday night football. Watching tennis,” Ploegstra said, his eyes darting back and forth as if he were watching an intense point. “But mostly, I’ll miss the students. You guys are what make this place operate and what make it worth coming to work in the morning.” Considering the affection to the stu-
math olympiad | 7
Head Roberta Mailer said. “And I think that’s one of his greatest strengths: the lasting associations that he makes with past students.” Holtberg notes Ploegstra’s true passion to change lives, both in and out of the literature he teaches. “He’s opened up windows and doors for boys into the lives of their families,” Holtberg said. “He stimulates thought. He stimulates reflection. And he causes students to articulate better and better. He leaves nothing undone in his quest to help our boys to be stronger learners and better citizens.” There is simply too much to describe the man who has seemingly revolutionized the way in which kids learn, write and wonder. “Marvelous,” Mailer said. “His whole method of probing with questions to make students think about what they’ve read and what it means in the world is marvelous.” In the end, he’s just a man who comes to work everyday. But his iconic image is not just an image. His class isn’t just class. His presence isn’t just a presence. There’s always more to a life than what can be put down on paper. “I don’t know where you’ll ever find a better student body than here,” Ploegstra said. “That’s why I’ve stayed on this long. I just enjoy being around you guys.” “It’s called being a presence,” he said. “This is not written in the rulebooks. It’s not in Lion Tracks. It’s becoming a part of the community and interacting with the students and faculty to a point where, when I tell people to tuck their shirts in, they don’t grumble. They said ‘thank you.’”
Dr. Henry Ploegstra A life in full • He was valedictorian of his high school class of 35 students • He left his parents in Holland, MI at 17 • He worked night shifts at a psychiatric hospital to pay for college • He became editor of the yearbook at Calvin College as a senior • He traveled Europe as a part of the Army • He met Pope John XXIII • He took a private tour of the Sistine Chapel • He taught at Philips Exeter Academy, along with a handful of other private schools in the Northeast • He received a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago • He has been to every continent in the world save Antarctica • He brought the Harkness table and the family history paper to the core curriculum here
SAYING FAREWELL story by Noah Yonack, news editor | photo by Michael Doorey, head photographer
GONE WITH THE WIND Seven more faculty to leave 10600 Preston Road
Patricia Boyd
Assistant to the Director of Finance and Administration Hired: 1992
What will you miss most? “Most of all I’ll miss my best friends Verna Smith and Karen Llewellyn. Before St. Mark’s, we met 30 plus years ago while working at another company.”
Heather Forteith Stewardship coordinator Hired: 2007
Future Plans? “Once settled [in Marietta, GA with William Forteith], I will look for a position in nonprofit or educational advancement. We are sad to leave St. Mark’s and will definitely be back for visits!”
William Forteith ‘96 Assistant head of Middle School Hired: 2003 Where to? Head of Middle School at The Walker School in Marietta, GA Best memory? “My daughter being baptized in the St. Mark’s Chapel.”
Brian Hargrove ‘88 Director of Development Hired: 2004 Where to? Mercersburg Academy as Assistant Head of School for Advancement.
What will you miss most? “The people—our
students and my dedicated colleagues. I will also miss the many devoted alumni, parents and friends who strengthen our school through their service and financial support. “
Matthew Jackson Technology specialist Hired: 2002 Where to? The Buckley School in New York, NY.
Biggest impact you’ve made? “I hope that I’ve been able to lead by example for my colleagues and especially my students about doing things the right way from the beginning.”
Jerry Lacey
Humanities instructor Hired: 1987
Biggest impact you’ve made? “Bringing the concept of team back to tennis and then bringing it into the classroom. For people to support one another not only in the classroom but also on the tennis court is a key concept.”
Rick Ortega Head varsity wrestling coach Hired: 1982
What will you miss most? “Some of the things I will miss most about St. Mark’s will be the camaraderie and friendships developed over the years. Also the great food in the cafeteria.”