PRIDE THE
Rebuilding Together The St. Mark’s community comes together after a devastating EF-3 tornado hits campus.
S ame Mission. Greater Possibilities. St. Mark’s will transition to a daily schedule that strengthens our commitment to student health and well-being.
Winter 2020 Volume 25, Issue 1 St. Mark’s School of Texas Community Magazine
S AV E T H E D AT E
ALUMNI WEEKEND AND H O M E C O M I N G OCTOBER 15–17, 2020
Contents
THE
PRIDE St. Mark’s School of Texas Community Magazine Volume 25, Issue 1 • Winter 2020
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ON CAMPUS
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2 | Letter from the Editor 3 | Campus Snapshot 4 | State of the Arts 10 | Sports News 14 | Holiday Traditions 18 | Making a Difference 20 | Campus Visitors 22 | Student Accolades 24 | Homecoming
ALUMNI NEWS
28
28 | Alumni Programs
SPOTLIGHT ON PHILANTHROPY
32 | The Community Rebuilds
FEATURES
36 | Tornado Recovery 46 | The New St. Mark’s Schedule
NOTES AND REMARKS
52
52 | Class Notes 59 | Faculty Notes 60 | In Memoriam 62 | Endnotes
ABOUT OUR COVER Life at 10600 Preston Road continues after the tornado
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Winter 2020 | Contents
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from the editor St. Mark’s is a School that takes Pride in educating the whole boy and has, at its core, principles that we strive to teach and to live. In the wake of the tornado, as our community came together to support one another, rally the troops, roll up our sleeves and begin, once again, building for a new chapter in St. Mark’s storied history, I believe I saw our boys, our team, our community exhibiting our core principles in sharp relief across the broken landscape of our campus.
A mighty wind The tornado will forever be etched in our collective memory, a cornerstone event in the history of St. Mark’s. But when I think back to the days and weeks following the storm, I don’t think of the damage caused to campus. I think of the banners reading “St. Mark’s ♥ Dallas” and the “St. Mark’s Strong” sentiment that everyone internalized almost immediately. I remember the Homecoming
What’s next? The only thing that is certain is uncertainty. The only constant in life is change. Expect the unexpected. Keep calm and carry on. I found these aphorisms floating through my mind as I sat down to rewrite this letter for the third time. This is not what I was thinking early last fall when we began planning this issue of The Pride. We identified some interesting stories to consider and sketched out a basic outline for the magazine. We expected this issue to be fairly straightforward. And then—October 20 happened. And, who would have thought what’s next? But then—COVID-19. When I think about St. Mark’s in the past year, the past 10 years, the past 100 years, I think of a history of uncertainty, of change, the unexpected—and I think at the same time that those words represent life, growth, and opportunity. 2
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football game, held at Greenhill just five days after the storm; the emotion I felt seeing the Path to Manhood statue illuminated when power was restored; the grateful tears that were shed as colleagues and friends came back together again on campus; and, of course, the boys. Much of this issue’s focus has been driven by the impact of the tornado. But rather than destruction and disaster, the story of the October 20 tornado is a story of hope and community. We believe that experiential education is a key component of every boy’s education, and the past few months has offered plenty of incredible experiences through which our boys have put lessons of character and leadership into action. Lessons of community rang true as boys sought to help one another, their friends, their classmates, their neighbors, and even total strangers in their city. Above all, our boys acted like Marksmen – working together to make their communities, and the world, a better place.
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And then a global health tsunami
problems turned their worlds upside down. But
And now, we are facing another challenge.
they also told us how they faced their challenges,
As unprecedented as the tornado was, and as
and how they found a way forward, as they also
unthinkable that something much bigger could be
found they were not alone. We all face unexpected
coming, the spread of COVID-19 is proving to be
problems, but we don’t walk alone in this world.
as unexpected and unforeseeable as any event in
As a working mother with metastatic breast cancer,
recent world history.
dealing with a gift that keeps on giving, I am constantly buoyed by the strength and resilience
And so, we adapt and make changes. We stay
of others.
at home. We implement distance learning. We do what we need to do to keep our boys healthy
This School has helped me develop a resiliency I
and moving forward, and to keep the School
didn’t know I could have, the resourcefulness that
Community together, and not just surviving, but
allows me to live my life to the fullest in the face
thriving. Because it turns out that this is what’s
of adversity, and the comfort and encouragement
next. And so, we carry on.
to allow me to rebuild myself and help rebuild our community each time we face a challenge.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold,
Like now.
posing increasing uncertainty, we have fully instituted online learning: and the resourcefulness
We are all learning lessons, not just through the
of our faculty and students, and, no doubt, our
remote learning program, but critical life lessons
families, should be commended and celebrated.
that will make everyone more resilient. I have
We are once again reminded that while we live in a
learned a lot at St. Mark’s. You. Me. Us. We are all
world where many things are out of our control, we
part of a community. We are all in this together.
are always in control of our will, our intent, and our purpose.
So, what’s next? The future. Filled with uncertainty, change, and unexpected challenges—but always
Things are not always what they seem Seem is an interesting word: giving the impression or sensation of being something or having a
hope. Okay, friends, keep calm and carry on. St. Mark’s Strong!
particular quality. “Giving the impression,” the very idea begs the question—what am I not seeing? All around us things are not what they seem. Amid the stability of St. Mark’s that has withstood many tests of time, and a Community built of a fabric that is not easily rendered, we are all, collectively and on our own, more than we let on, facing uncertainty,
Katy Booras Rubarth, Director of Communications
change, and the unexpected in our lives. In the March issue of The Remarker student newspaper, a number of courageous boys told us about their struggles, as unexpected mental health
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state arts of the
A collection of student artwork
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(top and above) Daniel Ardila ’20 (left) Alex Piccagli ’20 (far left and opposite) Russell Wilner ’20 YoungArts Merit Recognition
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(clockwise from right) Collin Ku ’27 Julian Gerstle ’27 Beau Bacon ’26 (opposite) Joshua Goforth ’26
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(clockwise from right) Mustafa Latif ’21 Knobel Hunt ’21 Odran Fitzgerald ’20 (opposite) Aaron Weiser ’20
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sports news
The fall and winter sports seasons brought unprecedented challenges: As the St. Mark’s community recovered from
Volleyball
the aftermath of the October tornado, Lion student-athletes
Returning most of the players from last year’s
thrived in the midst of new challenges, earning four SPC
2019 SPC Championship roster, the varsity
Championships and proving their resilience along the way.
volleyball team once again set its sights on the SPC Championship during the 2020 season. Led by coach Darren Teicher, the Lions overcame a
(above) Tyler Nussbaumer ’20 on the run (above right) Aaron Weiser ’20 spikes the ball
Cross-Country St. Mark’s runners were on a mission this season to improve their second-place finish in the 2018 SPC Championship. Led by a group of experienced seniors and coaches John Turek and Ryan Hershner, the Lions started strong in early races and finished by winning their final three competitions. At the SPC Championships in Tomball, Texas, the depth of the program, demonstrated by dominant pack running, shined as five Lions finished in the top 12. The Lions took home the 2019 SPC Championship with a total of 40 points, one of the best winning scores in the past decade. Seniors Andres Arroyo, Pablo Arroyo, and Tyler Nussbaumer, junior Julian Ivarra, and sophomore Sahil Dodda secured All-SPC Honors.
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slew of early-season injuries to key players. Once again, volleyball rivals Greenhill and Trinity Valley (Fort Worth) proved to be stiff competition in the SPC North Zone. After the October tornado, the volleyball team, finally healthy, came together for a late-season push. Finishing second in the North Zone with a 6-2 record, the Lions defeated St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (Austin) and Greenhill to set up a rematch with Trinity Valley in the SPC Championship round. A competitive backand-forth contest saw this year’s match also reach a decisive fifth game. The Lions came up short and finished second, but the varsity team showed tremendous resilience. Juniors Tristan Doan and Daniel Sanchez earned All-SPC Honors for their play. An experienced team will look to reclaim the title next season.
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Basketball The 2019–2020 season carried high expectations
(clockwise from far left) The Lions face off against Episcopal High School
for the St. Mark’s varsity basketball team. After the October 2019 tornado destroyed Hicks Gym,
Harrison Ingram ’21 goes up for a shot
St. Mark’s was able to completely renovate Morris G. Spencer Gymnasium just in time for the start of the season. Coached by Greg Guiler, the Lions competed against top teams in the state throughout
Paxton Scott ’20 rushes the ball
the season. The Lions finished the regular season with a 26-4 record and were undefeated in conference play. In the SPC Tournament, the Lions defeated The Kinkaid School (Houston) after a
Football Under new head coach Hayward Lee, the varsity football team played a tough 2019 schedule, competing with integrity and grit and finishing 3-5. Most notably, they responded to the October tornado by showing tremendous perseverance and adaptability. Greenhill graciously offered its stadium for the Lions Homecoming game, even repainting the field and wrapping their goalposts in St. Mark’s pads. Despite a cold drizzle, the community came out to rally behind the Lions. St. Mark’s won the game, but more important, provided needed inspiration during a challenging time. Following the season, seniors Anthony Andrews, Paxton Scott, and Carr Urschel earned All-SPC Honors for their leadership and performance.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
first-round bye. Then, in a rematch of last year’s semifinal game, the Lions faced Episcopal High School (Houston). The Lions found themselves down two points at halftime, but in the second half, the Lions found their shooting touch and, after a 15-0 run, won the game and advanced to the Finals. In the Championship game, the Lions faced two-time defending champion Houston Christian (Houston.) The outcome seemed clear from the start as the defensive length and offensive prowess of the Lions led them to an 85-57 victory. Harrison Ingram ’21, Andrew Laczkowski ’20, and Colin Smith ’22 earned All-SPC honors for their performance. Senior Andrew Laczkowski, who will play at the University of Pennsylvania next season, also became the first St. Mark’s player to surpass 2,000 points in his basketball career.
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sports news
(above) Odran Fitzgerald ’20 swims his lap of the relay (above right) The varsity soccer team celebrates its SPC Championhip
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Swimming The 2019–2020 season saw the varsity swim team, coached by Mihai Oprea, win four of its five regular-season meets, with its only loss coming in a close competition against nine-time UIL State
Soccer
Champions Southlake Carroll. As they advanced to
The varsity soccer team, coached by Cory Martin,
the SPC Championship, the Lions swimmers were
won its final four SPC counter games of the season
confident and ready to reclaim their place atop the
to secure the third seed in the North Zone. A well-
SPC standings after a two-year drought. Early in
balanced offensive attack propelled the Lions
the meet, the depth of the Lions proved crucial as
during the campaign. In the SPC Tournament,
they performed well in the relays, taking second
the Lions continued their winning ways. They
in the 400 Free Relay and fourth in the 200 Free
defeated South Zone foes St. Stephen’s Episcopal
Relay. Heading into the 200 Medley Relay, the Lions
School (Austin) and four-time reigning champion
needed a win to claim the championship over
Episcopal High School (Houston) in their first two
St. John’s School (Houston). Junior Leo
games, setting up a rematch with North Zone rival
Ohannessian anchored the relay and out-touched
Casady School (Oklahoma City) in the semifinal.
the opponent in exciting fashion, winning by three-
A dramatic back-and-forth game saw a 2-2 tie
fifths of a second to secure the Championship
result in extra time, when the Lions goalkeeper
for the Lions. Jerry Fox ’23, David Li ’20, Leo
earned his second yellow card of the game,
Ohannessian ’21, Jack Palmer ’21, Ryan Park ’21,
resulting in a penalty kick and disqualification.
and David Yang ’21 each earned All-SPC honors for
Sophomore backup goalkeeper Stefan Moreno
their respective performances.
entered the game and made a spectacular save
St. Mark’s School of Texas
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(above left) Knobel Hunt ’21 dribbles the ball down the field
Wrestling A busy St. Mark’s Wrestling season ended on an upward trend at the Texas Prep State and SPC
(above) Mike Mendoza ’21 pins his opponent
Wrestling Championships. At State, the Lions improved on last year’s finish as a team, jumping to keep the tie and send the game to extra time,
back into the top 10 with an eighth-place finish.
and then advanced to the championship on
Sophomore co-captain Elijah Ellis won his first
penalty kicks. Moreno once again came up big
State title and qualified for Prep Nationals at Lehigh
for the Lions, making two key saves as the Lions
University later this spring. Sophomore Sal Abbasi
ultimately advanced on penalty kicks 3-2 (4-3).
also qualified for Prep Nationals with a third-place
In the SPC Final, the Lions faced The Kinkaid
finish at State. Freshman Hayward Metcalf also
School (Houston). The Lions netted a goal in
performed well, finishing fourth in his weight class.
the 22nd minute and maintained the lead until
The following week at the SPC Championship,
a late equalizer with five minutes left. In extra
the Lions, although missing three wrestlers due
time, leading goal-scorer Henry McElhaney
to injury, placed nine wrestlers in their respective
’21 added two more tallies and led the Lions to
weight classes. As a team, the Lions placed third in
championship glory for the first time since 2013.
the SPC Championship, improving on last year’s
Colin Campbell ’20, William Holtby ’20,
fourth-place finish. A young group, led by Coach
Knobel Hunt ’21, Henry McElhaney ’21, and Eric
Reyno Arredondo ’87, will return next year and
Yoo ’21 earned All-SPC honors.
will look to improve on its results. Elijah Ellis ’22, Jackson Fair ’21, and Hayward Metcalf ’23 earned All-SPC honors for their performances.
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holiday traditions
Grandparents’ Day On November 22, 2019, more than 600 grandparents and friends spent the day on campus with their Marksmen, attending classes and getting a peek into life at St. Mark’s. Students and their guests enjoyed breakfast and lunch together, while many teachers planned fun games and activities for the day. For more highlights from this special day, watch the Grandparents’ Day video here.
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Lessons & Carols On December 17, 2019, with scaffolding encasing the damaged bell tower, the St. Mark’s community gathered together once more in the St. Mark’s Chapel for the School’s 68th annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. As community members read nine lessons and the St. Mark’s Choir and congregation sang nine carols, the congregants reflected on the season’s spirit of thanksgiving and gratitude.
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holiday traditions Gift Drive In December 2019, the Senior Class rallied the community in support of this year’s gift drive and surpassed its collection goal with a total of 2,232 gifts. Two days before the All-School Christmas Party, seniors, dressed as Santa and his elves, passed out gifts to children at Davids Place community center.
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All-School Christmas Party Marksmen know that they stand on the shoulders of giants, and nowhere was this more evident than at the All-School Christmas Party on December 20, 2019. Seniors entered the W. W. Browning, Jr., Great Hall carrying their Lower School buddies on their shoulders to decorate the Christmas tree. To relive this special time of year, watch the Holiday Traditions video here.
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your support makes these moments possible Making a Difference Each year, the St. Mark’s Fund supports campus life at 10600 Preston Road. Accounting for more than 11 percent of the overall budget, the St. Mark’s Fund helps create the extraordinary environment in which our Marksmen thrive.
(clockwise from top left) In the McDermott-Green Science Building, Tamal Pilla ’21, and Alex Piccagli ’20 perform a physics lab, analyzing the momentum and kinetic energy of carts that are colliding elastically and inelastically The fourth-grade class performs Shipwrecked with Shakespeare in the lobby of the Winn Science Center Industrial arts teacher John Frost reviews hand tools for an identification quiz in his 3D design class
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St. Mark’s School of Texas
Make a Difference Today “The coming days, weeks, and months will certainly be challenging as we work together to get back to full strength, but we are blessed to be in such a strong community that sticks together in good times and bad.” —David W. Dini, Eugene McDermott Headmaster, October 2019
Make a gift to the St. Mark’s Fund this year to support faculty excellence, to deepen student learning, and to restore campus. Our need is great, and your support will make a tremendous difference across campus each and every day.
To learn more about the St. Mark’s Fund or to make your gift or pledge, please visit www.smtexas.org/smfund.
On Campus
campus visitors
Throughout the 2019–2020 school year, students have had opportunities to hear guest speakers share their experiences and expertise. Speakers came from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives, and offered Marksmen unique views of the world. Dr. David Shoemaker
Katie Koestner
This year, the Robert E. Dennard Visiting Scholar
As St. Mark’s seeks to expand its Health and
Program hosted Dr. David Shoemaker, a space
Wellness education curriculum, the School again
science researcher and builder of investigative
partnered with Katie Koestner, the Development
tools called interferometers. In both small and
Director for Campus Outreach Services and a
large group settings with Upper and Middle School
national expert on student safety and healthy
students, Dr. Shoemaker explained his work with
relationships. Koestner was the first woman
the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-
in the United States to speak out nationally as
Wave Observatories (LIGO) Laboratory at MIT,
the victim of campus date rape at age 18. She
which detected the first gravitational wave in 2015
appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine in 1991
and helped to verify Einstein’s theory of relativity.
and helped spark a national conversation about
Shoemaker held seven sessions with students
sexual assault, consent, and healthy relationships.
in grades 8 through 12. He visited the following
Last year, Koestner spoke to the graduating Class
classes: Information Engineering, Physics,
of 2019 and, in January 2020, she returned to
Conceptual Physics, AP Physics C, AP Physics 2,
campus to engage once more in these important
and AP Environmental Physics. Speaking with a
conversations. Katie met with administrative
large group of Upper School students, Shoemaker
leaders, including Division Heads and members of
explained the design of the wave detector, plans for
the Counseling Office, spoke with the Class of 2020,
future wave detectors in space, and implications of
and held an evening presentation for parents.
his work for society at large.
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Literary Festival In January 2020, St. Mark’s welcomed four distinguished writers to campus for the 13th annual Literary Festival. Over two days, students spent
Alan Cohen ’01
time with Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street; Frederick Turner, award-winning
The annual Senior Leadership Dinner welcomed
poet; Dawn Davies, acclaimed memoirist; and
Alan Cohen ’01 back to campus to address the
St. Mark’s own Sharan Shetty ’09, Associate Editor
Class of 2020. Cohen, who serves as the President
of The New Yorker. For the first time, parents and
& CEO of the Child Poverty Action Lab, encouraged
alumni also had the chance to hear from these
the seniors to use the skills they have learned
authors at the Writers Forum, an evening panel
at St. Mark’s to help solve some of the world’s
held in the Winn Science Center Lecture Hall.
most complex problems, including education,
The authors also judged student entries submitted
socioeconomic poverty disparity, and violence.
to the annual Writing Contest and announced the
He emphasized the importance of critical thinking
winners: Nick Kowalske ’20 (Fiction and Poetry)
and working with people of various backgrounds
and Jamie Mahowald ’21 (Nonfiction).
and viewpoints. Cohen shared real-world examples of how problem solving at the government level
To see more images from the Literary Festival, view
has occurred to create programs like the Early
the Literary Festival photo gallery.
Childhood Education strategy in Dallas ISD, a program that he spearheaded.
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student accolades by the numbers Facts and Figures from Across Campus Ryan McCord ’20 and Kyler Fisher ’20 were among the 11 photography students nationwide selected as finalists in the National YoungArts Competition. Russell Wilner ’20 was also named a Merit Winner in Design Arts. The Sodalitas Classica Sancti Marci (Latin for “The St. Mark’s Classics Club”) organized and hosted its second
The National Merit Scholarship Program recognized 26 members of the Class of 2020 as Finalists and 29 as Commended Scholars, based on each student’s PSAT/MNSQT scores.
annual Lions Invitational Certamen (“Competition”) over the weekend of January 17, 2020, welcoming dozens of students from across the metroplex.
More than 20 St. Mark’s musicians were
St. Mark’s five major student
selected for TPSMEA All-State, including
publications from the 2018–2019
12 in Choir, nine in Orchestra, and two in
school year (the Marksmen yearbook,
Jazz Band.
The Marque literary magazine, The
Mini-Marque Middle School literary magazine, The Scientific Marksmen
The Community Service Program
scientific journal, and The ReMarker
spearheaded several collection drives
student newspaper) were honored
throughout the year, in partnership with
with Crown Awards, the highest level
local charities and aid organizations. The
of awards presented by the Columbia
Clothing Drive collected 4,388 pounds of
Scholastic Press Association.
At the Dallas BEST Robotics
clothes; the Food Drive collected 88 boxes
Tournament, the St. Mark’s
of food; the Candy Drive collected 608
Robotics Team finished third
pounds of candy; the Gift Drive collected
Charlie Rubarth ’20 and Eddie Raj ’20
2,232 gifts; and the Blood Drive collected
organized RevAMP Dallas, a musical
out of 30 teams and earned
enough blood to save up to 57 lives in
festival that featured local and St. Mark’s
the Most Robust Robot Award.
our community.
student musicians and raised more than
$20,000 for the North Texas Food Bank.
The Team also finished
in first place among nonUIL teams, earning them
Throughout the school year, nine short films produced by St. Mark’s Film Studies
The St. Mark’s Math Team took First
students were screened at film festivals
Place in Sweepstakes for earning
across the country.
the best overall score at the Dallas
a spot in the Texas BEST State Championship.
Metroplex Math Competition. 22
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On Campus | THE PRIDE
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Just as Sean and the Athletic Department were scrambling to untangle the logistical headache before them (rescheduling or canceling practices, salvaging athletic equipment, contacting players
STRONG. TOGETHER.
and coaches), St. Mark’s peer schools reached out (opposite) The varsity football team during the national anthem before playing Greenhill
to offer their support – and their athletic facilities. Homecoming 2019 was set to be a showdown between the Lions and the Greenhill Hornets. This annual matchup is a longstanding tradition
(below) Matthew Raroque ’20 sets the Lions attack
for both schools as, each year, fans cheer their
The St. Mark’s community comes together for Homecoming after a devastating tornado hits campus.
respective teams to victory. But this year, Greenhill stepped up to help its fellow SPC school when
(bottom) Athletic Director Sean Lissemore thanks members of the Greenhill football team
disaster struck, opening its stadium to host the Homecoming football game. “When we woke up Monday morning and realized
Sean Lissemore was just four months into his
what had happened, we knew St. Mark’s would
tenure as St. Mark’s new Director of Athletics when
need a place to play its game,” Greenhill Athletic
the unthinkable happened. A tornado ripped
Director Jarrett Shine told NBC5 News. “We’re still
through campus, striking a direct blow to some of
going to compete when we’re out there on the field,
the School’s core athletic facilities.
but at the same time, we still have to have love for one another.”
As Sean surveyed the damage the next morning, one thought weighed heavily on his mind:
Likewise, the Hockaday School opened its doors
St. Mark’s Homecoming was just four days away.
to the Lions. By Tuesday, just two days after the
Hicks Gym was destroyed. Hunt Stadium suffered
tornado, the varsity football team was geared up
damage and was littered with debris. Preston Road
on a newly striped field on the Hockaday campus,
was closed in both directions between Royal and
practicing for the big game. On Wednesday, Trinity
Walnut Hill. Clearly, there was no way the School
Valley School worked with its volleyball equipment
could host the volleyball and football games on
supplier to provide the Lions with new gear.
Friday night. Still, as cleanup and repairs began, Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini instructed administrators to focus attention on things that were mission-critical to the boys. Sean could think of nothing more critical than preserving the tradition of Homecoming: “Establishing a sense of normalcy was important and bringing everyone together helped with the healing process. Life is very unpredictable and, while the impact of this storm was significant, the strength and resilience of our community proved to be much more powerful.” St. Mark’s School of Texas
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On Campus
Finally, on Friday, October 25, the St. Mark’s community gathered to celebrate Homecoming 2019. The evening began with the varsity volleyball game, held at Hockaday’s Penson Athletic Center. Hanging above the gym was a giant blue and green banner reading: “St. Mark’s ♥ Hockaday. Strong. Together.” Walking in, varsity volleyball players realized that (above right) The banner hangs outside of the Hockaday gymnasium (below) Toby Nwafor ’20 jumps up for the spike (below right) Jack Palmer ’21 shows off his St. Mark’s Strong button
Penson had been transformed, starting with the St. Mark’s volleyball net and pads retrieved from Hicks Gym. The poster-sized senior player portraits had been reprinted and hung behind the home stands. A squad of Hockaday students even donned their St. Mark’s cheer uniforms as the Lions faced off against the Hornets. An energetic student section, all wearing blue “St. Mark’s Strong” buttons, cheered the Lions on to a 3–0 victory. “That whole night, Hockaday did everything they
could to make their gym feel like our home,” volleyball team captain Sam Ahmed ’20 wrote in an article for the Dallas Morning News. “As we finished the three-set match, we shook hands with the Greenhill players and immediately exchanged expressions of concern and support for both of our communities.” Homecoming then moved to The Greenhill School’s Brinkmann Field for the varsity football game. Once again, every effort was made to welcome the Marksmen. Greenhill repainted its yard lines blue and wrapped its goalposts with Lions padding, and even painted over the ‘G’ at the 50-yard line. St. Mark’s teacher Scott Gonzalez was invited to call the game over the loudspeaker, as he always does at home games. Despite a chilly drizzle, traditions continued with the presentation of the Homecoming Court at halftime and recognition of senior football players, band members, cheerleaders, athletic trainers, Spurs, and Super Fan Men. To cap off the night, the Lions won 25–0. Off the field, the Homecoming games took on an even greater meaning. For the first time in more than a week, the community was together. Students, teachers, parents, alumni, and friends shared hugs and a few tears. Families asked how others
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(left) Students celebrate their Homecoming victory (below left) Senior football players with their parents (below) Conor Duffy ’22 leaps to make the catch
Stories quickly spread about how families had offered their homes to neighbors who’d suffered damage, or how a group of students had met up in Preston Hollow to help clean yards. had fared. Whose homes were damaged and who was in need of help? Stories quickly spread about how families had offered their homes to neighbors who’d suffered damage, or how a group of students had met up in Preston Hollow to help clean yards. For all of the touchdowns and cheering, this Homecoming was much more than a game. It was a chance for a community, rocked by a terrible disaster, to reconnect and begin to heal. “There was a strong sense of sportsmanship amongst both teams as well as a great mutual respect for each other,” Sean said. “While it was a very competitive game, everyone realized that this difficult situation transcended sports. The big picture was that we needed to lean on each other to move forward. The positive attitude expressed on and off the field exemplifies the strength, character, and resilience on which Marksmen pride themselves.”
Photo by Lance Cpl. Niles Lee, US Marines St. Mark’s School of Texas
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Alumni News alumni programs
St. Mark’s proudly participated in its first annual National Day of Service for our Alumni Association in June. Six events aiding the homeless population took place across the country. These concurrent activities serving (above) Sam Libby ’13 in New York (above right) Eric Graffy ’11, Max Harris ’08, Andrew Haddad ’11, and Dr. Gabby Reed in Washington, D.C.
Regional Events
those in need were a great opportunity to fulfill a
Community members, alumni, and faculty
lifelong commitment to servant leadership and
reconnect with the School and one another
make a difference in our communities and across
at regional events each year. For the events
the nation.
throughout central Texas, Paul Mlakar, Director of Academic Information Systems & Scheduler,
“As one St. Mark’s community, we united for
and Lynne Weber Schwartz, Trustee Master
the benefit of cities nationwide,” said Reid
Teacher Chair in Humanities, traveled with
McGlamery ’96, who chairs the Alumni
the Alumni Office for September gatherings
Association’s Los Angeles Regional Club.
in Austin, Houston, and College Station. Next,
“It demonstrates that community service is a
Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini
practice that enlightens us and serves a higher
joined the Alumni Team on the East Coast in
purpose, regardless of geographic bounds.”
October 2019, hosting more than 100 alumni at events in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Alumni enjoyed reuniting with beloved faculty members Jorge Correa, Spanish teacher and Director of Community Service, Dr. Gabby Reed, Lower and Middle School Counselor, and Mark Sullivan, Director of Physical and Experiential Education.
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Alumni News
Young Alumni The Young Alumni Community Service Event took place in August at Austin Street Center in Dallas, where a hot meal was served, with an enjoyable, upbeat atmosphere thanks to the evening’s D.J., Korey Mack ’00. Each year, McDonald’s graciously agrees to donate 500 meals, continuing the support made possible in part by the School’s efforts during McDonald’s Week. Additionally, snack bags were also distributed to help those in attendance for the days following the event. Engaging our Young Alumni continues to be a priority for the Alumni Board, specifically through events designed for graduates from the previous 15 years. The annual Young Alumni Holiday Party, held at H.G. Supply during the Thanksgiving break, provided an opportunity for alumni from the Classes of 2010 through 2019 to celebrate the holidays and catch up with one another.
Leveraging the Marksman Network
(above left) Chance Cooley ’16 in Austin
St. Mark’s alumni are fortunate to have the powerful Marksman Network as an available resource. The Student Alumni Association sponsored the annual Networking Discussion in November, giving an inquisitive audience of Upper
(above) Toby Roosevelt ’81 greets Brent Jackson ’93 at the Alumni Holiday Luncheon
School students time with 11 alumni mentors who returned to campus to share their professional experiences. Representing a range of fields, including technology and entrepreneurship, healthcare and medicine, law and government, and business and finance, the returning Marksmen facilitated roundtable discussions and answered students’ questions. December’s Annual Alumni Holiday Luncheon at Arlington Hall provided the more than 100 Dallas alumni in attendance an enjoyable time of fellowship and a holiday meal. Camp Collins ’20 sang a seasonal selection and reflected on St. Mark’s students’ demonstrations of altruism and service to communities in our area affected by the October 20, 2019 tornado.
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Alumni News
alumni programs
(clockwise from top) Mark Weisberg ’19 Paul Genender ’87 Shane Ndeda ’19 CJ Crawford ’19
College-Age Marksmen College-age alumni benefit from opportunities designed for networking with their peers through The College Ambassador Program. Established by the Alumni Board’s Mentor and Networking Committee, the four-year-old program helps recent St. Mark’s graduates connect with more senior Marksmen on their campuses as they transition to college life. This year, 30 College Ambassadors at 25 schools across the country are striving to keep ties to St. Mark’s strong with their outreach and mentorship efforts. In December, Marksmen who were home for the Christmas break met on campus for the annual College-Age Marksman Day, reconnecting with classmates and taking a look at the campus just weeks after the October tornado.
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ST. MARK’S STUDENT STORE Located in the Alumni Commons across from the Great Hall
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Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Closed School Holidays)
Spotlight
As the boy explained, he earned an allowance for doing chores around the house. His parents taught him to keep a third, save a third, and donate a third of his allowance money to any cause or organization he chose. The boy shared how sad he had felt seeing the destruction caused by the October 2019 tornado. Then he handed Jim Bob a check and said, “To help our School.” This fifth-grader’s story is just one of many among a School that banded together following the October 2019 tornado. At the St. Mark’s Homecoming games, held just five days after the storm, community
The St. Mark’s fifth-grader had something important on his mind when he walked into the Nearburg Hall office of
members sported blue pins declaring “St. Mark’s Strong.” It was also at Homecoming where many families saw one another for the first time since the
St. Mark’s Director of Development, and Jim Bob Womack ’98
storm and shared stories from that night – stories
was happy to take the meeting.
like the Genender family’s. Just two blocks from campus, Wendy and Paul
As the two sat down, the heavy rumble of diesel
Genender ’87 were at home watching the Dallas
engines could be felt through the floor as a pair of
Cowboys game on October 20. Around halftime,
excavators demolished Hicks Gym. This mixed with
their power went out and their phones began
the warning tones of a forklift backing up in the
buzzing with tornado warnings. They quickly woke
Quad, carrying away another load of damaged roof.
their three children, Lucy, Jack ’21, and George ’23,
And right outside Jim Bob’s window, roofers were
and took cover in the kitchen pantry.
carefully navigating the glass pergola, repairing Nearburg’s roof. It was a fitting setting for what the fifth-grader wanted to discuss.
“We were not in the pantry for a minute before we heard glass shatter and lots of crashing sounds outside,” said Paul, who also serves as President
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Spotlight
of the St. Mark’s Alumni Association. “When the tornado passed, we opened the pantry and our kitchen was covered in broken glass. I consider it a miracle that no one was hurt or killed along the path of the storms.” Without power, the family waited until morning to survey the damage. Most of their windows were shattered, water poured through holes in the roof, and a giant tree had fallen onto the side of their house. While the Genenders’ home was uninhabitable, another St. Mark’s family helped them relocate to a nearby rental house. Days later, as the Genenders returned to gather belongings from their home, they were met by a group of St. Mark’s seniors passing out supplies and offering their help. Throughout their ordeal, Paul and Wendy were inspired by the strength shown by their children and classmates. “In addition to everything else, Jack also had another challenge: He was the stage manager of the fall musical, 1776, which was set to open right after the storm. He and his classmates banded together, and the show did go on. It was an early example of ‘St. Mark’s Strong’ for us.” Even as Paul and Wendy grappled with the damage
To help the School recover as quickly as possible,
to their family home, they were also stunned by the
the Genenders more than doubled their pledge to
damage sustained at their “second home” — 10600
the St. Mark’s Fund.
Preston Road. This is a sentiment and a response that was felt “This School has done so much for me and my older
across the St. Mark’s community following the
brothers, and now for my sons,” Paul said. “It is
storm. Seeing the photos of devastation spread
a second home in many ways. We had a natural
on social media, Katherine Rogers Roberts was
inclination to help a place which has been so
heartbroken for St. Mark’s. For generations, the
important to us. It was like helping a family
Rogers Family has been deeply intertwined with
member or a dear friend.”
the School. Her grandfather, Ralph B. Rogers, was a longtime supporter of the School and served as President of St. Mark’s Board of Trustees
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Spotlight
“We knew the damage to the trees and landscaping wouldn’t be covered by insurance,” Katherine said. “We knew the School needed help and we were thrilled to offer our help. I loved volunteering with the Parents’ Association and on the Board of Trustees, and giving back is an important part of any successful and happy life. Giving back to St. Mark’s warms my heart.” Members of the Rogers family were some of the first community members to make a gift to support tornado recovery. In addition to landscaping and the more than 250 trees that were destroyed, St. Mark’s faces many other expenses that go beyond what insurance will ultimately cover. Thanks to careful contingency planning, the School was able to cover immediate costs, including the herculean task of clearing and reopening campus in just 10 days. And luckily, the School has seen an outpouring of support. As images of the damage began circulating online and in the news, St. Mark’s received hundreds of calls from community members across the world, offering their solidarity and asking “How can we help?” In response, the School encouraged gifts to the St. Mark’s Fund, the School’s annual fundraising priority. Though the tornado happened months ago, the damage is still being assessed and from 1960–1964. Katherine and her family have
the recovery provided by insurance is still being
followed in his footsteps as dedicated members
determined. Due to their unrestricted nature, gifts
of the School community. She served for years on
to the St. Mark’s Fund provide the School with
the Parents’ Association, including as President,
maximum flexibility in tackling needs that directly
and on the Board of Trustees. Her father Dick ’58,
affect our boys.
her husband William ’88, and her son Henry ’17 are Marksmen, as well as many of her extended
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“It was important to us to support St. Mark’s in any
family. And, as the owner of a real estate company,
way we could,” Paul said. “And I knew that the
Katherine understood the storm’s lasting
St. Mark’s Fund is the means through which we can
financial impact.
help the rebuilding process.”
St. Mark’s School of Texas
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“EVER GREATER
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MAY YOU RISE...”
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“IT’S HICKS GYM,” DANIEL REPLIED. “ALSO, MY TRUCK IS UPSIDE DOWN ON THE TENNIS COURTS.”
TORNADO RECOVERY EFFORTS ON CAMPUS St. Mark’s security team member Daniel Mauch
hour cut a path directly across the campus’s north
was one brick wall away from Hicks Gym on the
side. Incredibly, no deaths or severe injuries were
night a tornado hit campus. When the tornado
reported as a result of the storm.
sirens rang out on the evening of Sunday, October 20, 2019, Daniel took cover in the Security and
As the sun rose over campus the following morning,
Maintenance Office, inside the Hicks Family
it was difficult to process the devastation left
Athletic Center.
behind. The Hicks Family Athletic Center was a complete loss. The copper roofs of the Chapel,
“It only took a few moments,” Daniel recalled in an
Decherd Auditorium, Nearburg Hall, and the Fine
interview with The ReMarker student newspaper.
Arts wing had been sheared off and tossed around
“But it sounded like a huge train was going through
campus. Light streamed through a hole in the roof
the gym.”
of Decherd Auditorium. Water was leaking into the
After the storm passed, Daniel carefully emerged
Development & Alumni Relations. The fences and
and surveyed the scene. He called his boss,
athletic facilities bordering campus were severely
St. Mark’s Director of Security Dale Hackbarth, and
damaged. More than 250 trees were lost.
second floor of Nearburg Hall, soaking the Office of
reported, “I think we have some property damage.” When Dale Hackbarth arrived on campus, he knew Dale asked for a photo and received what looked
that the coming days would be all-hands-on-deck
like a grainy image of an open airplane hangar.
for the Security Team. With Daniel’s truck still lying
Dale asked, “What am I looking at?”
on the tennis courts, Dale offered him a ride home. But Daniel had already rented a car and assured
“It’s Hicks Gym,” Daniel replied. “Also, my truck is upside down on the tennis courts.”
Dale that he would be available whenever needed. His reaction was indicative of the community’s response; the tornado may have damaged
That evening, an outbreak of tornadoes devastated
buildings, but the spirit of St. Mark’s remained
a wide swath of North Texas. Hundreds of homes
stronger than ever.
and businesses throughout Preston Hollow were damaged or destroyed. At 10600 Preston Road, an EF-3 tornado with winds up to 165 miles per
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“WE ARE BLESSED TO BE IN SUCH A STRONG COMMUNITY THAT STICKS TOGETHER IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD.”
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FAMILIES REACHED OUT TO ONE ANOTHER, OFFERING SUPPORT. BOYS GATHERED TO HELP FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND NEIGHBORS. (above) The scene on campus the morning after the tornado (opposite) St. Mark’s raises the American flag for the first time after the storm
In the days immediately following the tornado,
These men and women worked around the clock
Eugene McDermott Headmaster David Dini
alongside St. Mark’s own security and physical
put forth a simple mandate: Get the campus
plant teams to restore power, clear debris, patch
operational and safe enough for the boys to return.
windows, dry out rooms, and prepare for the resumption of school. Little by little, life began to
“The coming days, weeks, and months will certainly
return to St. Mark’s.
be challenging as we work together to get back to full strength, but we are blessed to be in such
In the meantime, with Preston Road closed and
a strong community that sticks together in good
campus inaccessible, students and teachers
times and bad,” David said in a message to
were warned to stay away. Even without a school,
the community.
the St. Mark’s community sprang into action. Families reached out to one another, offering their
Hours after the tornado struck, an army of
support. Boys gathered to help friends, family,
contractors and workers descended on campus,
and neighbors.
including representatives from the Beck Group, Knight Restoration Services, RLG Engineers, Texas
A special section of The ReMarker’s November 2019
Roof Management, Wilcoxson Landscape, Alden
issue collected a handful of the incredible stories
Organ, Southern Botanical, Axxys Technologies,
following the tornado. Lars Ochs ’21 recalled
Paragon Sports Group, USI Southwest, The
waking up to find his home’s driveway and doors
Hartford, Dallas Police and Fire, and Oncor.
blocked by fallen trees. “Our grade reps reached out asking if anyone needed help. The next day,
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“MARKSMEN MADE SURE TO DO THEIR BEST TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR GREATER COMMUNITY.”
(above) Students and faculty pose with Stephen Butt, (4th from left) President of H-E-B’s Central Market division, at the H-E-B Mobile Kitchen at the Preston-Royal Shopping Center (above right) The Class of 2024 delivers snacks to the workers cleaning campus
everyone showed up ready to help out.” In just
When H-E-B’s Mobile Kitchen arrived at Preston-
four hours, a team of St. Mark’s students, parents,
Royal, Marksmen showed up to help pass out
and teachers was able to clear the Ochs’ yard. “It
meals. Nick Kowalske ’20 used his truck to
makes me feel really good because of how tight our
distribute food from the Mobile Kitchen into the
brotherhood is and how our community was so
neighborhood, handing out breakfast and lunch to
eager to help the people in need.”
residents and workers.
This episode was repeated in dozens of ways across Dallas, among members of the St. Mark’s
“The tornado was pretty close to my house and just seeing the impact it had was really powerful,” Nick
community and beyond. Students whose homes
said. “I wanted to do anything I could to get out
were damaged stayed with classmates. Lower
and make a difference.”
School Administrative Assistant Kathy Mallick and her son Will ’20 hosted six other Marksmen at their
Meanwhile, crews made incredible progress
home. Boys living near campus gathered at the
bringing campus back up to an operational state.
Headmaster’s residence, which was turned into a
Nine days after the tornado hit, Preston Road was
neighborhood response site with food, supplies,
reopened, and faculty and staff returned for a brief
and generator power.
meeting on campus. The following day, Marksmen donned their uniforms for the first time in nearly
“We were cognizant that others in our community needed help and so we began our outreach to other
two weeks as St. Mark’s officially reopened. The day began with an all-school assembly in Spencer Gym.
communities,” Sam Ahmed ’20 said. “Thousands of other homes across the Dallas area were destroyed, and Marksmen made sure to do their best to take
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am to see each and every one of you this morning,” David Dini said at
care of their greater community.”
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the assembly. “I am so proud of the strength of our
competition-level gym for basketball. The Chapel
community and how all of you have pulled together,
was reopened in time for the Evensong service
supporting your neighbors, your friends, and those
on November 3, 2019, although the Roosevelt
in need. I am excited for the rest of this year and
Family Organ sustained extensive water damage.
know it will be filled with more opportunities for all
It will have to be dismantled and shipped back
of you to be your best selves.”
to the Létourneau Organs workshop in Canada
(above) Workers begin re-bricking the north side of the Chapel
for restoration. Throughout the holiday season, Student Council President Taylor Hopkin ’20
scaffolding rose around the Chapel and Fine Arts
praised his classmates for their unity and
Wing as crews rebricked the walls. Roofers have
selflessness. “There have been so many examples
been busy atop both buildings, as well as Nearburg
of people wanting to help and make a difference.
Hall, installing new copper roofs. The roofs of
We need to keep up this same spirit going forward.
the Great Hall, Green Library, Lower School,
Keep reaching out to one another and asking how
Spencer Gymnasium, and McDermott-Green
you can make a difference, not just to the people
Science Building will also need repairs in the
in our community, but across Dallas. That’s what it
coming months.
means to be a Marksman.” The Winn Science Center became a crucial In many ways, students, teachers, staff, and parents
space on campus, hosting class meetings, faculty
returned to their daily routines on campus. The
gatherings, and even drama rehearsals and
short-term problems left in the storm’s aftermath
performances as Decherd Auditorium and the
have been addressed. Thanks in large part to our
Black Box underwent repairs. Exactly two months
fellow SPC schools, athletic practices and games
after the tornado struck, campus closed for
continued mostly uninterrupted. In November,
Christmas Break and demolition crews carefully
Spencer Gym was renovated to become a
dismantled the Hicks Athletic Center. Across
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(below and opposite) Workers repair and replace the walls and roof of the Fine Arts building
campus, the School’s physical plant team, with the help of the Beck Group and many other service providers, have a long laundry list of repairs and replacements, from light fixtures to broken windows. For the foreseeable future, St. Mark’s will continue to be a construction zone. As for the long-term effects, St. Mark’s was already in the process of reviewing its campus master plan
REPAIRS AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE ONGOING AS THE SCHOOL SEEKS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS THE BEST POSSIBILE FACILITIES IN WHICH TO THRIVE.
as dictated by the latest iteration of the School’s strategic plan, Goals for St. Mark’s IV. The School’s consultant Jeff Blanchard visited campus several
St. Mark’s will continue grappling with the
times prior to the tornado and has made numerous
tornado’s many impacts for years to come. Repairs
visits since. With his input, the administration and
and construction will be ongoing as the School
Board of Trustees are taking a fresh look at campus
seeks to provide students the best possible
and weighing all of the programmatic needs and
facilities in which to thrive. But the October 2019
opportunities as we rebuild for the future.
tornado made one thing very clear: The St. Mark’s community is stronger than ever. “There was always a sense of confidence that we had the right people, the right team, the right resources, and the strength of community that we were going to get back quickly, and that’s really affirming to try to be thoughtful and deliberate and not lose sight of what our core objectives were,” David Dini told The ReMarker. “We all felt a collective sense of responsibility to our mission as a School, our history, the future and all of you guys to do everything in our power to get us fully back on our feet and get going.”
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The average Marksman has a lot on his mind: homework, labs, class meetings, club meetings, and after-school practices, just to name a few. St. Mark’s teachers are no less busy, constantly thinking about lesson plans, classroom activities, assignment and test schedules, co-curricular duties, and so much more. Added together, these details comprise a large portion of the St. Mark’s experience. And behind it all, driving the decisions of students, teachers, and administrators, is something few ever pause to consider: the daily schedule.
Features
(above) Head of Lower School Sherri Darver discusses the schedule and answers questions during one of the parent information sessions
For any school, the daily schedule is the framework
daily schedule several years ago. The question was
upon which everything is built. The schedule
simple: How can we make it even better? In 1984,
determines how many classes a school can offer,
the School made a formal schedule review part of
how students will interact with co-curricular
its first strategic plan, Goals for St. Mark’s I, and
activities, how teachers prepare their daily lessons,
identified the need to “appoint a group to study
and the amount of work students complete during
the daily schedule.” This continued to be a priority
and after class. The schedule also reflects a school’s
in later iterations. Goals for St. Mark’s III (2002)
belief in the best way to educate its students. For
recommended that the School “regularly review the
decades, the St. Mark’s school year has been
master schedule to reduce obstacles to a student’s
divided into three trimesters, with each day split
preferred choice of courses and activities.”
into nine periods. And for decades, this schedule has served the School well. But, as the nature of
In 2017, the latest iteration of the School’s strategic
education and our understanding of adolescent
plan, Goals for St. Mark’s IV, elevated the priority of
minds have evolved over the decades, it became
the schedule review and specifically recommended
clear that there was untapped potential hidden in
that the School “explore, design, and implement a
the school day. And, as the schedule is so deeply
daily schedule that better addresses the evolving
ingrained in daily life on campus, any changes or
needs of students and faculty.” Goals IV went
alterations would have to be made with the most
on to recommend that the School conduct a
careful consideration.
comprehensive schedule review, investigate new models, and ensure a smooth transition for the
“We knew that a schedule review was something
community. Later that year, the Reaccreditation
to which we needed to devote the appropriate
Visiting Committee from the Independent School
time and resources,” said Eugene McDermott
Association of the Southwest applauded St. Mark’s
Headmaster David W. Dini. “Time is finite, and
efforts, calling the schedule review “both laudable
we have to figure out how to make the most out of
and necessary.” Their final report “wholeheartedly
every minute we have with the boys each day.”
recommend[ed] careful analysis of the different ways that students, faculty, and staff use structured
Always looking to innovate and improve,
and unstructured time.”
St. Mark’s began to review the effectiveness of the
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“There isn’t a daily schedule that we could just take off the shelf and pop into St. Mark’s,” said Paul Mlakar, Director of Academic Information Systems. “St. Mark’s is a unique school. So, we had to create something from scratch that worked for us.” The Committee visited peer schools, all of which subscribe to different types of schedules. St. Mark’s dedicated several in-service days exclusively to the schedule, holding meetings with the full faculty and then drilling down to the details in department and divisional meetings. “We worked in cross-departmental and crossdivisional groups and discussed all we do with the boys in a given school day,” said Associate
“There isn’t a daily schedule that we could just take off the
Headmaster John Ashton. “We thought about
shelf and pop into St. Mark’s,” said Paul Mlakar, Director
what we like about the current schedule and
of Academic Information Systems. “St. Mark’s is a unique
what we would like to be able to do that we currently cannot.”
school. So we had to create something from scratch that Ultimately, the Schedule Review Committee
worked for us.”
committed to four guiding principles: (above) Paul Mlakar shares details of the schedule with faculty members during an in-service day
Same Mission. Greater Possibilities.
•
Sustain strength and quality of current program
Over the past few years, St. Mark’s has been hard at work, reviewing and revising the schedule.
•
Enhance student health and well-being
The School formed a Schedule Review Committee
•
Improve alignment and collaboration opportunities across campus
comprising the Headmaster, Division Heads, Department Chairs, and the Director of Academic Information Systems. The Committee
•
Increase flexibility to better accommodate current and future programs
partnered with Independent School Management (ISM), a consulting firm that specializes in
And, of course, the entire process was guided by
scheduling. ISM’s President and Senior Consultant
the School’s singular mission: teaching Marksmen
Roxanne Higgins visited campus several times,
to thrive.
meeting with faculty, students, and administrators to learn how people interacted in the existing
“This has been a mission-driven process
schedule and what new opportunities could
since day one,” said David Dini. “This entire
be possible.
discussion about the daily schedule has continuously rotated back to our mission, how we get better as a school, and how we strengthen the boys’ complete development.”
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FACULTY MEMBERS ON THE SCHEDULE STEERING COMMITTEE
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NUMBER OF MEETINGS BY THE REVIEW COMMITTEE OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS
The result of years of research and hundreds of
Soon after the schedule announcement in
hours of planning and input from community
February, an editorial in The ReMarker encouraged
members is a schedule that meets all four of
students to “Embrace the Change,” adding “Change
the guiding principles and will provide new
can be hard. We recognize that. But eventually the
possibilities for the education of Marksmen.
change will become routine, and when it does, we will all emerge on the other side better off realizing
With the new schedule ready, the School is moving
that this change reflects only the best of intention.”
12
NUMBER OF NEW ONE-SEMESTER CLASS OFFERINGS
to the next step laid out in Goals IV: “Ensure a smooth transition for students, faculty, and parents
Learn more about the daily schedule by visiting
to the daily schedule.” St. Mark’s formally unveiled
www.smtexas.org/Schedule.
the new daily schedule in February 2020 and launched a webpage with resources to help parents, students, faculty, and staff understand the changes.
6
Throughout February and March, the School hosted Parent Information Sessions, where division
NUMBER OF IN-SERVICE DAYS DEDICATED TO DISCUSSING NEW SCHEDULE WITH FACULTY
heads walked parents through the new schedule’s features and benefits and fielded questions.
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Remarks 1957 In June 2019, JOHN BEHRENS ’57 published his first fictional
designed and works in cooperation with Dallas-Fort Worth
thriller titled, This Picture Doesn’t Hang Straight, the first of a
area pediatric hospitals, community volunteers, and health
planned trilogy written under the pen name Adrian Vogt. John
organizations to offer high-quality camping experiences to
and his wife, Alicia, live in Vero Beach, Florida.
kids living with chronic medical and physical challenges such as cancer, spina bifida, and kidney disease, among others.
1967
Corey has been involved with Camp John Marc for more than
BENNETT CULLUM ’67 has been named to the 2020 “Best
25 years as have several other Marksmen, including previous
Lawyers in America” list by the peer review publication Best
Board Chairman LEY WAGGONER ’64, BRUCE EPSTEIN ’77,
Lawyers. Bennett, who fulfills an Of Counsel role with Bell
DOUG MANKOFF ’81, DR. MARK EPSTEIN ’82, and STEVE
Nunnally, was selected for this honor in the area of trusts and
BENENSON ’83. STEVE BERGER ’81 has promoted one of
estates law.
the major fundraisers for Camp John Marc on behalf of CBRE.
The land donated for the site of Camp John Marc came from After six years of research and writing, FRANK ST. CLAIRE ’67
Marc and Jan Myers, parents of John Marc Myers and RUSSELL
has published his debut novel, Torch: Based Upon a True Story.
MYERS ’99.
The book is a true crime tale, the first of a planned trilogy. Frank writes under the pen name Clark Shelton.
1975 | 45th Reunion
1983 Kansas City Chiefs Chairman and CEO CLARK HUNT ’83 accepted the Vince Lombardi Trophy on behalf of his team at
ROBERT ZORN ’75 delivered the keynote speech at the 100-
Super Bowl LIV in February 2020. Clark was joined on stage by
year anniversary celebration of the founding of the Treasury
his mother, Norma Hunt, who has attended every Super Bowl
Department’s investigative unit in Washington, D.C., on
since its inception. Two weeks earlier when the Chiefs were
September 21, 2019. Robert is the author of Cemetery John,
victorious in the AFC Championship game, the Hunt family
which tells the story of how his 15-year-old father inadvertently
accepted the Lamar Hunt Trophy, named in honor of the family’s
witnessed two of his neighbors planning the crime with the man
patriarch. Lamar served as a member of the Board of Trustees
who ultimately got caught. He is currently collaborating with
from 1972 to 1999 and was appointed as a Life Trustee in 1999.
CHUCK HELMS ’76 on a biography of former St. Mark’s fencing
LAMAR HUNT, JR. ’75 is celebrating his 45th reunion and
master and World War II hero Daniel Nevot.
leading the effort for class engagement. DAN HUNT ’96 serves as
1981
President of FC Dallas and Vice President of Hunt Sports Group and is a member of the St. Mark’s Board of Trustees. Clark and
KEN HERSH ’81 is the 2019 recipient of the Henry Cohn
his wife, Tavia, have three children, Gracie, KNOBEL ’21,
Humanitarian Award, presented by the Texoma Regional Board
and Ava.
of the Anti-Defamation League. Ken was honored in recognition and appreciation of his distinguished service and inspiring
1984
leadership in preserving liberty, counteracting bigotry, and
HARRY LYNCH ’84, managing director at Arcos Films,
advancing the cause of human rights, dignity, and
produced, wrote, and directed Now Hear This, a documentary
equal opportunity.
miniseries airing on PBS. Hosted by acclaimed conductor and violinist Scott Yoo, the series merges music, storytelling, travel,
In January 2019, COREY LADD ’81 was elected Chairman of
and culture, with the goal of building a new generation of
the Board for Camp John Marc. This Camp has been uniquely
classical music listeners and giving existing fans new ways to love their music.
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Class Notes
VICTOR VESCOVO ’84 and his diving team visited the wreckage of the Titanic in August 2019, the first expedition to the site in 14 years. They found the detrimental effect that salt corrosion,
1995 | 25th Reunion
metal-eating bacteria, and deep current action are having on
Jacquelin Sewell Atkinson and WILLIAM ATKINSON ’95 are
the vessel. An upcoming Discovery Channel documentary will
proud to announce the birth of Henrietta Hunter Atkinson on
detail their findings from this and other dives comprising their
June 19, 2019. The Atkinson family lives in Dallas. Henrietta is the
completed Five Deeps Expedition. Victor has now become the
granddaughter of CARL SEWELL ’61 and the niece of J. CARL
first person to dive to the deepest point of all five of the world’s
SEWELL III ’02.
oceans. Victor has also been named the 2020 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient and the Commencement speaker for
Tara and MOOD ROWGHANI ’95 were married at Villa Sevillano
the Class of 2020.
in Santa Barbara, California on June 8, 2019. The groom’s brother ALI ROWGHANI ’91, as well as VISHAL BANTHIA ’91, BILL
1990 | 30th Reunion
MICHAEL ’95, and FRY WERNICK ’95 were all present for the
LUKE WILSON ’90 will star in 12 Mighty Orphans, a drama
joyous occasion.
based on the true story of a group of Fort Worth orphans who
compete for the state football championship and rally a nation
After serving 11 years as a federal prosecutor and Assistant
broken by the Great Depression. Luke will play Coach Rusty
Chief of DOJ’s Criminal Fraud Section, EPHRAIM (FRY)
Russell in the Ty Roberts-directed movie filming in Fort Worth.
WERNICK ’95 joined the Washington, D.C., office of Vinson & Elkins LLP to become a Partner in the firm’s government
1994
investigations and white collar criminal defense group.
MARK LEVY ’94 and his wife Kayna happily added Anita Rose
Fry and his wife Lea are also happy to announce the birth of
to their family on October 11, 2019. The Levys live in Austin,
their third child. Elijah Wickham “Wick” Wernick was born on
Texas, where Mark is the Assistant Attorney General, Financial
November 4, 2019, and he checked in at a healthy 10 lbs., 12 oz.
Litigation and Charitable Trusts Division.
Wick joins older brothers Jacob (5) and Jonathan (3).
Bennett Cullum ’67 Clark Hunt ’83 and his family Anita Rose Levy St. Mark’s School of Texas
Henrietta Hunter Atkinson Tara and Mood Rowghani ’95 Elijah Wickham “Wick” Wernick
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1997
1998
BEN KUSIN ’97 has co-founded The Video Game Entertainment
Catey Mark and KEVIN MEYERS ’98 were married at Union
& News Network, aiming to build the MTV of gaming. The
Station in Dallas on October 5, 2019. The newlyweds call New
venture, set to launch in 2020 with live studios in New York and
York City home, where Kevin manages First Haven Capital, a
Los Angeles, will broadcast 24/7 with original gaming-focused
part of Turtle Creek Investment Advisors.
content on video platforms like Twitch and YouTube. GEORGE STIFF ’98 and his wife Isabel welcomed their first JEREMY STEWART ’97 and his wife Lila, founders of Hari Mari,
child, Orión, in September 2019. The family lives near the Black
the Texas-based premium flip flop company, were the subject of
Forest in Germany, where George continues his work of many
a feature in the September issue of Texas Monthly. The Stewarts
years helping cities across Europe to become more sustainable
and Hari Mari donate one percent of sales to treatment costs for
and climate-friendly.
children with cancer. The couple lives in Dallas with their two children.
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Orión Stiff Miraya Jain Vaidya Jack Muse Aly and Brandon Phillips ’01 with Miller Lee and Sophia Belle Barrett Wesley Bagot Rocky Muse
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2000
2002
DAVID OWEN ’00 has been awarded the professional insurance
STERLING BARNETT ’02 was promoted to Chief Operating
designation Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU®)
Officer at Solve, a venture-backed startup that makes interactive
by The Institutes. The Institutes are an educational organization
murder-mystery content. Sterling lives in Santa Monica,
that confers the CPCU designation on those who complete
California with his wife, Amy Paliobeis, and daughter.
eight rigorous courses and examinations and meet its ethics and experience requirements. In addition, Risk & Insurance
ED CHAO ’02 is the founder of Hoop Club, a two-year-old
Magazine named David a 2019 Power Broker for providing
startup that facilitates organized pickup basketball games in the
outstanding service and counsel to clients. David is a Senior Vice
Dallas area. More than 1,100 people have already signed up for
President with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in Dallas.
the service, playing games at various local recreation centers with the benefit of a scorekeeper and player ratings to even out
TONY RUGGERI ’00 and JAKE WAGNER ’00, co-CEOs of
competition and reduce drama. Each session is capped at 15
Republic Property Group, were featured in an August 2019 D
players so participants never wait more than one game.
CEO article detailing RPG’s move to a new headquarters in downtown Dallas. The firm is known for its innovative real estate
Jill and BRYAN MONIER ’02 welcomed Madison “Maddy” Anne
developments focusing on a quality lifestyle and environment for
on June 13, 2019. Bryan is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in
residents.
the foot and ankle, and the family lives in Stowe, Vermont.
Purva and PARAG VAIDYA ’00 are excited to announce the birth
2003
of their second baby girl, Miraya Jain. Miraya arrived on June 21,
DREW BAGOT ’03 and his wife Christine welcomed their first
2019, weighing 6 lbs., 14 oz. and 21 inches long, and joins big
baby, Barrett Wesley, into the world on January 2, 2019. Barrett
sister Amalia. The Vaidya family lives in Dallas where Parag is the
weighed 7 lbs., 5 oz. and measured 19 ½ inches long. The family
co-founder of Pratiksha Jewelry.
resides in Austin, Texas, where Drew is Managing Partner at
2001
Calidant Capital.
ALAN COHEN ’01 has been named co-chair of Dallas Mayor
Danielle and BEN HUGHES ’03 welcomed William Hart on
Eric Johnson’s new Task Force on Safe Communities, which aims
June 14, 2019. William weighed 7 lbs. and 5 oz. The happy family
to utilize a data-driven approach to stem the tide of increased
just moved back home to Dallas where Ben works for Sky
violence in the city. Alan also heads up the nonprofit Child
Island Capital.
Poverty Action Lab, and was the keynote speaker at the Senior Leadership Dinner at St. Mark’s on November 18, 2019.
TAYLOR JENKINS ’03 was named the Head Coach of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies in June 2019. Taylor, Chantall, and family
Jessica and MICHAEL MUSE ’01 welcomed baby Jack on June
relocated from Wisconsin where Taylor was working with the
28, 2019. Weighing in at 9 lbs., 6 oz. and 21 inches in length, Jack
Milwaukee Bucks. Taylor was also previously employed with
joins sister Molly in the growing family that now calls Dallas
the Atlanta Hawks, the San Antonio Spurs and their affiliate, the
home, having recently relocated from New York City.
Austin Toros.
Aly and BRANDON PHILLIPS ’01 welcomed Miller Lee and
TYLER MUSE ’03 and his wife Mallory joyfully announce the
Sophia Belle to the world on August 12, 2019. The twins and their
birth of their son, Rocky, on May 21, 2019. The family recently
proud parents live in Austin, Texas, where Brandon is employed
moved back to Dallas. Tyler is CEO and Founder of Lingo Live, a
at Expedia Group.
company that provides personal, online language coaching for people in the workplace.
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CHASE PARK ’03, his wife Naya, and daughter Claire were
Army, during which he served as a Green Beret and conducted
overjoyed at Hope Autumn’s arrival on October 16, 2019. Chase
special operations missions. He looks forward to studying
works as Director of Finance for Highland Park ISD, and the
mathematics in UChicago’s environment of rigorous inquiry.
family lives in Irving.
2004
Megan McCaslin and JOHN STATHAS ’05 were joined in marriage on September 1, 2019. The ceremony was held at Deer
STEVE AHN ’04 married Laura Chah on August 24, 2019 in
Creek Valley Ranch in Bailey, Colorado. The couple lives in
Tarrytown, New York. Present for the celebration were fellow
Denver.
Marksmen DANIEL BURKE ’04, MATT CHAO ’04, JOHN LIN ’04, and HOWARD CHANG ’05. The newlyweds reside in the
2006
New York City area, where Steve is an Associate with Sidley
Elizabeth and CASE MARTIN ’06 welcomed daughter Mila
Austin LLP.
on August 26, 2019. The Martins reside in San Antonio, Texas. Elizabeth is completing her last year of obstetrics and gynecology
Amy and BRENTON ARMSTRONG ’04 happily welcomed
residency and Case is nearing the end of his orthopaedic surgery
Brenton James on May 9, 2019. Their son weighed 7 lbs., 14 oz.
residency with plans to apply to orthopaedic trauma fellowships.
and was 20 ½ inches in length. Brenton is a urologist at HMU in the greater Houston, Texas area. Shannon and ZACH WALKER ’06 welcomed Jack Eli on July 8, Christy and ALEX ESHELBRENNER ’04 were blessed with twins
2019. Jack weighed 7 lbs., 3 oz. and was 20 ½ inches long. The
on October 3, 2019. Olivia Leigh weighed 5 lbs., 8 oz. and Blake
Walker family lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Zach
William came in at 6 lbs., 12 oz. Alex is in his sixth year at St.
works for Northwestern Mutual.
Mark’s where he serves as Ahlberg Ribman Family Director of Alumni Relations.
2007
NICK MONIER ’04 was selected to join the Teach for America
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sam and his wife Ngozi have three
DFW Alumni Board. Nick worked as a Teach for America Corps
children.
SAM ACHO ’07 recently signed a one-year contract with the
member in New York City from 2008 to 2010, teaching fourth and fifth grade special education in the South Bronx prior to
DASH CROWLEY ’07 married Sophia Coll on June 1, 2019,
attending law school. He is currently a Finance Associate in the
in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The couple lives in Dallas where
Dallas office of Haynes and Boone, LLP. In other news, Nick, his
Dash works in business development for Hunt Oil Company.
wife Julie, and their daughter Lilly welcomed William Charles to
Additional Marksmen in attendance were: NICK ENGLISH ’02,
the family on August 20, 2019.
BENTON BAGOT ’07, LUKE KLINE ’07, DANIEL
2005 | 5th Reunion
LAHRMAN ’07, GEORGE LAUINGER ’07, and HOLLIS MEYER ’07.
Heather and GRANT FRANKFURT ’05 welcomed Holland Sidney on May 30, 2019. She weighed 7 lbs. and 2 oz. and was 20
NICK HUMPHREY ’07, his wife Nina and proud big sister
inches long. The family resides in Dallas where Grant practices
Eleanor Rose announce the birth of their son and little brother,
criminal and family law at the Frankfurt Law Firm, PLLC.
Alvin Louis, on August 18, 2019. The Humphreys live in Hamburg, Germany.
ALEX KILBOURNE ’05 is attending the University of Chicago as
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a Posse Veteran Scholar under a program supporting efforts to
MICKEY KNEZEVIC ’07 and his wife Veronica welcomed baby
recruit and enroll veterans and provide support to the school’s
Mia into their hearts on August 28, 2019. The family couldn’t be
military community. Alex was previously enlisted 10 years in the
happier!
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2008 J.B. SHARP ’08 accepted a new role as Manager, Strategy at
ERIC FRICK ’09 earned a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from
KPMG in Chicago, Illinois, the city he also calls home.
University of Iowa in December 2018. He previously graduated
2009
from Notre Dame with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2013. Eric has joined a startup biomotion company in Iowa.
BRIAN DOWNS ’09 has started working as an Associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, practicing in the firm’s capital
STEPHEN FRIEDBERG ’09 wed Brittany Clayton on June 15,
markets, mergers & acquisitions, and oil & gas groups. Brian lives
2019, in Houston, Texas. The bride and groom make their home
in Houston, Texas.
in the California Bay Area, where Stephen recently accepted a position with Google’s strategy group.
Christy and Alex Eshelbrenner ’04 with Olivia Leigh and Blake William Julie and Nick Monier ’04 with children Lillian and William John Stathas ’05 married Megan McCaslin Case Martin ’06 with daughter Mila Jack Eli Walker Mia Knezevic
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2010 | 10th Reunion PATRICK NELIGAN ’09 has joined Porter Novelli’s office in Washington, D.C. Patrick works as a Senior Account Executive at the public relations firm. JARROD SPARKS ’09 wed Ali Browder on September 1, 2019, in Gunnison, Colorado. Fellow Marksmen DARREN ABBAS ’09, STEPHEN FRIEDBERG ’09, KEENAN GARRETT ’09, and KIRK HAYES ’09 were in the wedding party. Nuptial attendees included Marksmen SCOTT HEAPE ’68, BEAU FALGOUT ’09, JARRETT GRECO ’09, MARK KANE ’09, TYLER MOW ’09, DREW NICHOLAS ’09, and WHIT SHAW ’09. The couple lives
READE HUDDLESTON ’10 has started a position as Head of Production at Headframe Spirits in Butte, Montana. He previously helped launch Deep Ellum Distillery. Molly and JEFF STETLER ’10 were married on September 7, 2019, at Belk Chapel at Queens University in Molly’s hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. Jeff’s brother, BRANDON STETLER ’13, served as best man. ARYA MEHRABANZAD ’10, ANDREW NGO ’10, and KARAN SAWLA ’10 were groomsmen, and MARK SENTER ’13 was an usher. The couple lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where Jeff is an ophthalmology resident.
in Midland, Texas, where Jarrod works as a Petroleum Engineer.
Jarrod Sparks ’09 married Ali Browder Molly and Jeff Stetler ’10 Luke Hudspeth ’15 and Drew Taylor ’16 Jeff Stephens Nora Kate Strange Ron Turner and Clark Hunt ’83
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2012 BROOKS JONES ’12 was promoted to Commercial Advisor at TenantBase, where he focuses on retail, office and industrial representation at the brokerage firm that assists tenants in finding and leasing office space. Brooks lives in Austin, Texas.
2014 VICTOR CALVILLO ’14 started a new position as Investment Banking Analyst at Credit Suisse. Victor lives in Houston.
2015 | 5th Reunion LUKE HUDSPETH ’15 and DREW TAYLOR ’16 recently met up at the IRA Rowing Championships in Lake Natoma, California, on June 2, 2019. Luke was rowing varsity for Dartmouth and Drew for Stanford.
2016 DAVIS MARSH ’16 has accepted an Analyst position with the
ANDREW WHIGHAM IV ’17 completed a summer 2019 UT Southwestern Medical Center internship he was awarded through the Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program. Andrew assisted a team of simulation center technicians working with various medical professionals. He is a junior at the University of Miami, studying biomedical engineering.
2018 ZACH LANDRY ’18 earned a starting job at second base as a freshman on the Haverford College Baseball Team. He finished first on the team in both On Base Percentage (.371) and Hit by Pitch (13). A highlight this year came during a game where his coach won his 400th game and Zach went 4 for 4 and hit his first NCAA home run. Haverford made it to their conference championship this year but lost to the eventual champion Johns Hopkins.
economic consulting firm Analysis Group in Dallas. Davis is looking forward to starting at Analysis Group in the summer of 2020 following his graduation from UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business. MITCHELL SO ’16, a senior mechanical engineering student at Stanford University, received the Albert Hettinger full academic scholarship for the current school year. In addition, he received
Staff/Faculty Notes Staff member JEFF STEPHENS earned bronze medals in the 50m, 100m freestyle and relay, and a silver medal in the butterfly at the State Special Olympics swim meet in College Station, Texas. Jeff thoroughly enjoyed his Special Olympics experience.
an invitation to the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, an honor given to the top 20% of senior engineering students.
2017 CHIRAG GOKANI ’17 and St. Mark’s Physics teacher Stephen Houpt released a new folk album entitled Light on the Mountain in September 2019. In addition to partnering to make music as a duo, Stephen and Chirag are members of the blues group Strictly Tablue, along with Tony Vintcent Fine Arts Department Chair Marion Glorioso-Kirby.
Faculty member CLAIRE STRANGE, her husband William, and daughter Nora Kate joyously welcomed daughter Anne Bryan on August 28, 2019. Claire teaches Latin and has worked at St. Mark’s since 2007. On August 24, 2019, staff member RON TURNER enjoyed having the opportunity to work at the Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers preseason game, courtesy of CLARK HUNT ’83.
FRANK THOMAS ’17 is serving as Vice President of External Affairs this school year for the Duke University Union, Duke’s largest event programming and media body. Frank is a junior studying economics and public policy at Duke.
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in memoriam Community Members CAROLYN C. COTTEN, August 23, 2019, mother of Marvin C.
Cotten ’77 and Lary Cotten ’81. RONALD J. ELLIOTT, August 16, 2019, grandfather of Luke “Buck”
Elliott ’21 and Drake H. Elliott ’22. RICHARD T. GETTER, August 24, 2019, father of Kerry R.
Getter ’70 and Russell M. Getter ’74. CHARLES S. GOLDBERG, February 13, 2019, grandfather of Henry
G. Goldberg ’16 and Owen D. Goldberg ’21, and father-in-law of Student Store Manager Nancy H. Goldberg.
Alumni PAUL J. BRET ’75, August 9, 2019, brother of William N. Bret III ’71
and John R. Bret ’73. MURRAY C. CAVIN ’77, October 21, 2019. SCOTT K. GORDON ’75, August 18, 2019, stepbrother of Paul B.
Geilich ’75. JAMES W. HARRIS III ’64, October 5, 2019.
SARA E. HUDSON, August 19, 2019, daughter of Andrew C.
Hudson ’79 and niece of James “Chris” Hudson ’80. BARBARA P. JOLLY, June 19, 2019, mother of Scott Jolly, Senior
Director of Leadership Gifts, and grandmother of Zachary S. Jolly ’10. LINDA B. KEITH, November 5, 2019, grandmother of Joseph K.
Lauinger ’04 and George C. Lauinger ’07. RHONDA L. LANGE, August 7, 2019, mother of Assistant Head of
HOUSTON H. HARTE ’44, September 16, 2019.
Middle School Jason M. Lange.
JEFFREY T. MORRELL ’77, October 10, 2019.
MIKE H. MARTINEZ, August 20, 2019, grandfather of Cristian V.
WILLIAM C. SCURRY, JR. ’59, October 17, 2019, brother of faculty
member Marietta S. Johnson, uncle of H Scurry Johnson ’81, greatuncle of William S. Johnson ’11 and Walter B. Johnson ’15. PAUL BRADFORD STOFFEL ’80, August 27, 2019, brother of
Christopher J. Stoffel ’81.
Hinojosa ’96, Jason N. Hinojosa ’99, Tyler R. Tassin ’01, David H. Tassin ’06, and Thomas M. Tassin ’12. KATHLEEN C. MOORE, October 6, 2019, wife of Gregory N.
Moore ’67. LOUISE H. O’BRIEN, May 29, 2019, grandmother of Timothy I.
Weigman ’21. LEONARD A. STERN, September 13, 2019, father of S. Alan
Stern ’75 and Leonard A. Stern II ’76.
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Endnotes ONLINE GIVING The St. Mark’s Fund is the School’s most important, ongoing fundraising priority, providing more than 11 percent of its annual operating budget. You may give online through our secure server at www.smtexas.org/smfund. Every gift makes a difference.
THE
PRIDE St. Mark’s School of Texas Community Magazine
EDITOR
ARCHIVES
Katy B. Rubarth
From the Terrill School, all the way to St. Mark’s School of Texas, ours is
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
a school with a long and rich history. If you have something that you would like to donate to St. Mark’s to be preserved in our archives, please contact the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at 214.346.8800.
Dave Carden
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Alex Hughes
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Jim Bob Womack ’98
SUBMISSIONS
AHLBERG & RIBMAN FAMILY DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS
Do you have a great story you’d like to share with your fellow alumni?
Alex Eshelbrenner ’04
Have you made any changes in your life such as a new job, new degree, marriage, children, or other announcement? Please send your stories, along with any photos, to the Office of Development & Alumni Relations so we can include them in our next issue. Submissions may be made in any of three ways: • www.smtexas.org Use our online form to send in your “Remarks.” • Email | eshelbrennera@smtexas.org Send your information and high-resolution photos to Alex Eshelbrenner ’04 at eshelbrennera@smtexas.org. • U.S. Mail Send to St. Mark’s School of Texas, Attn. Alex Eshelbrenner, 10600 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230-4047 Submissions received after October 1, 2019, will appear in the next issue of The Pride.
THE PRIDE is published twice annually by St. Mark’s School of Texas, Office of Development & Alumni Relations, 10600 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas 75230-4047, and is distributed to alumni, parents, and friends of the School. In producing this magazine, every effort has been made to ensure that it is accurate. Please report any errors, or receipt of multiple copies, to the Office of Development & Alumni Relations, and accept our sincerest apologies. St. Mark’s School of Texas does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. ©2020 St. Mark’s School of Texas An Office of Development & Alumni Relations Publication
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End Notes | THE PRIDE
St. Mark’s School of Texas
Joining the Terrill Society St. Mark’s is fortunate to have fostered a culture of philanthropy that prioritizes the long-term security and growth of our School’s mission. Members of our community continue to move our institution forward with their gifts of time, resources, and unwavering support. Joining the Menter B. Terrill Society, the School’s legacy society, is one of the most significant ways you can ensure St. Mark’s has the resources to sustain the exceptional education it offers in perpetuity. Terrill Society member and Harvard Divinity Professor Society Dr. Mark Jordan ’71 wants to make sure that future Marksmen share a similar experience to his: “Because I received so much from my education, I have felt for a long time that I want to pay it forward — which is not the same as paying it back. You can never compensate people for loving care. But I do want to create chances for others to learn. I can use my estate to express at least part of my gratitude.” Many alumni, parents, and grandparents are making a lasting impact on the future of St. Mark’s by becoming members of the Terrill Society. Their support ensures ongoing opportunities for Marksmen, similar to those Dr. Jordan received during his time at St. Mark’s. By joining the St. Mark’s legacy society, you can ensure that St. Mark’s will thrive for generations to come.
“I really can’t imagine my career without St. Mark’s. Teachers nurtured in me a capacity for language and another for what I can only call ethical or spiritual experience. Put these two capacities together and you have the story of my professional life—and a good sense of my personal life as well.” — Dr. Mark Jordan ’71
To learn more or join the Terrill Society, please visit the Planned Giving webpage at www.smtexas.org/plannedgiving, or contact Scott Jolly in the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at 214.346.8132 or jollys@smtexas.org.
St. Mark’s School of Texas 10600 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75230-4047 214.346.8000 • www.smtexas.org
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