The Pride Spring 2025

THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF ST. MARK’S SCHOOL OF TEXAS

Spring 2025

Building Legacy

St. Mark’s ushers in a new era of excellence with the opening of the Zierk Athletic Center and the Albert G. Hill, Sr. Family Tennis Center p. 20

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22, 2025: Luke Laczkowski ’25 dunks the ball, scoring the inaugural points in the first game played in the rebuilt Hicks Gym. The Lions prevailed with a 79-52 victory over Trinity Valley School.

UP CLOSE

Marking the moment.

‘The energy in the new gym was electric, and as I went up for the dunk, I could feel the excitement from our fans. That feeling of throwing down the first-ever points in the new Hicks Gym is something I’ll never forget.’

— LUKE LACZKOWSKI ’25

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Agenda S PRING 2 02 5

VOL . 3 0, N O. 1

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Around the Quad

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12

FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

6 MAKING THEIR MARK 10 HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

18 Conversations

50

Community

12

56

60

LitFest brings authors to the table.

Families and alumni give back to the school they love.

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AROUND THE HARKNESS TABLE

16

FIRST PERSON

SPOTLIGHT ON PHILANTHROPY

Dale Hackbarth on leading campus security.

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18

A grandmother’s devotion continues for decades.

300 WORDS

Faculty and staff stories in precisely 300 words.

LEADING THE PRIDE

CLASS NOTES

FACULTY NOTES

76

IN MEMORIAM

The Pride is a publication of St. Mark’s School of Texas and is produced by the School’s Office of Development & Alumni Relations. Please direct your inquiries to Scott Moore, Associate Director of Communications (moores@smtexas.org), 10600 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230.

Building Legacy

Features

42

MUCH MORE THAN A NUMBER

How the St. Mark’s Endowment shapes generations.

50

CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP

The Character & Leadership program evolves, adding a full-time position and seeking to expand its impact beyond 10600 Preston Road.

Cover Story

EVER GREATER MAY YOU RISE

20

Marksmen athletics usher in a new era with completion of the Zierk Athletic Center and Albert G. Hill, Sr. Family Tennis Center.

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From the Alumni Association President Jamie Rogers ’85 continues to serve more than 4,200 members of the Alumni Association

It has been an incredible honor to serve as president of the Alumni Association over the past year and a half. The journey has been both personally fulfilling and inspiring thanks to many meaningful experiences and the wonderful people I’ve had the privilege to meet. Looking ahead, I’m excited for the final months in this role. My admiration for our School, its faculty, administration, and staff—who tirelessly shape our young Marksmen into men of character—grows daily. Serving alongside fellow alumni who selflessly devote their time, talent, and resources to strengthening our beloved St. Mark’s community is truly a privilege. The shared experiences and unbreakable bonds that guide us all toward a common goal make us one of the finest alumni networks in the world. I’m proud to be a part of such an exceptional institution and to connect with the graduates who continue to shape its enduring legacy.

This past year, in addition to hosting various on-campus events, we brought the St. Mark’s spirit to cities nationwide. Alumni in Central Texas, Chicago, and along the East and West Coasts gathered to rekindle friendships, engage with our faculty, and hear about exciting developments on campus. Whether near or far, I encourage you to stay engaged with our School and incredible alumni community.

I’m pleased to report our Alumni Board continues to

craft meaningful programs for our 4,200+ alumni. I am grateful for the leadership and partnership of this group of 42 men who consistently prioritize St. Mark’s. We focus on deepening connections within our Alumni Association and exploring new ways to engage and inspire. I encourage you to experience firsthand the dedication of so many in our community and mark your calendars for Alumni Weekend 2025, set for April 24-26. We expect more than 1,000 alumni to gather for a weekend of celebration and camaraderie.

I want to thank Scott Jolly, Tim Crouch, Jack Mallick ’14, and the outstanding Office of Development & Alumni Relations team for their unwavering support and for helping us stay connected as a community. I also want to thank the 2024-2025 Alumni Board Executive Committee, whose hard work and leadership have set a new standard for excellence. Our Alumni Association is stronger than ever thanks to your commitment and unity. I encourage each of you to remain active in our community and continue giving your time, talents, and resources. Together, we are shaping the future of St. Mark’s.

Thank you for all that you do. I look forward to seeing you soon and continuing our work on this shared journey.

– Jamie Rogers ’85 Alumni Association President

‘I’m proud to be a part of such an exceptional institution and to connect with the graduates who continue to shape its enduring legacy.’

—JAMIE ROGERS ’85 2024-2025 Alumni Board Executive Committee President Jamie Rogers ’85 Vice President Lowell Ku ’89 Secretary B.A. Cullum ’99 St. Mark’s Fund Mark Butler ’08 & Sonak Daulat ’90 Activities & Alumni Weekend Tony Ruggeri ’00 Alumni Golf Tournament Cody Wikert ’05 Ralph B. Rogers Alumni Award Jonathan Erwin ’92 Mentor & Networking Nick Cassavechia ’04 Alumni Awards Chip Fowler ’05 Lee S. Smith ’65 Courage & Honor Award Jon Myhre ’96 Young Alumni Chair Ben Wilson ’14 Terrill Society Ryan Bowles ’90

Alumni Board Members Sam Acho ’07 Ryan Bowles ’90 Charles Branch ’10 Mark Butler ’08 Victor Calvillo ’14 Nick Cassavechia ’04 Fadi Constantine ’00 Ross Crawford ’12 B.A. Cullum ’99 Sonak Daulat ’90 Jesse Diaz ’04 Jordan Dyslin ’11 Mark Early ’73 Jonathan Erwin ’92 Tom Fagadau ’76 Chip Fowler ’05 Jamie Helwig ’01 Eugene Jabbour ’96 Akhil Kara ’02 Aaron Kaufman ’68 Luke Kline ’07 Lowell Ku ’89 Arif Mahmood ’03 David Marcus ’98 Scott McElhaney ’85 Reid McGlamery ’96 Michael Merrill ’72 Greg Moore ’67 Jon Myhre ’96 Stuart Nance ’78 Joey Neuhoff ’89 Drew Nicholas ’09 David Ortigoza ’97 Jamie Rogers ’85 Tony Ruggeri ’00 Ben Vig ’89 Alden Wagner ’71 Fry Wernick ’95 Ed Wesneski ’03 Cody Wikert ’05 Ben Wilson ’14 Damon Wright ’04

Around the Quad

What’s happening...

Stay connected with 10600 Preston Road.

ALUMNI WEEKEND

April 24

Alumni Golf Tournament kicks off Alumni Weekend. Registration, warm-up, and lunch.

Play commences with a shotgun start and an awards reception follows.

April 25

April 26

A day of classes, discussions, and a special alumni chapel. Enjoy lunch on the Quad or the Golden Lions Reunion Luncheon before continuing with more activities. Spring Alumni Dinner will feature alumni awards and recognition of retiring faculty and staff members and 40 years of service by Nancy Marmion and Doc Browning.

Open Alumni Board meeting, followed by a family cookout and activities on the Quad with tours of the new Zierk Athletic Center, concluding with Reunion Class Dinners for classes ending in 0 and 5.

SCAN FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT ALUMNI WEEKEND.

COMMENCEMENT

May 29

Help celebrate and recognize accomplishments of the 102 students of the Class of 2025 at the School’s annual Commencement ceremony. Ida M. and Cecil H. Green Commencement Theater, 8 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT SMTEXAS.ORG/ALUMNI OR CALL THE OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS AT 214-346-8800.

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Making their mark

Student accolades and athletic achievements over the past year.

COLLEGE BOARD HONORS SENIORS

Presidential Scholars Since the last Pride issue, Alex Pan ’24 and Patrick Flanagan ’24 were named 2024 Presidential Scholars by the U.S. Department of Education. Alex was named a Presidential Scholar for his academic achievement, personal characteristics, and leadership and service activities, as determined by the Commission on Presidential Scholars. Patrick was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts after advancing in the photography category of the YoungArts competition.

MARKSMEN EARN EAGLE RANK

Two Marksmen earned the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.

New Eagle Scouts are Arjun Poi ’25 and Matthew Jordan ’25.

Seven members of the Class of 2025 received honors from the College Board National Recognition Program: Lawrence Gardner, National African American Recognition Award (NAARA); Matthew Jordan, NAARA; Aidan Moran, National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA); Mateo Ubiñas, NHRA; Mateu Parker, NHRA; Dylan Taylor, NHRA; and Alden Reagins, NAARA.

MARKSMEN MATHEMATICIANS RANK NATIONALLY

The St. Mark’s Upper School Math Team won the MathMadness Championship (Division I Bracket). Nathan Liu ’29 and Surya Dinesh ’25 finished the year ranked in the top ten in the nation, with Max Yan ’25 and Tony Lu ’27 joining them in the top 30.

Mathematicians Brennan Bosita ’29, Alex Ding ’29, Bryan Li ’28, Eugene Wang ’28, and Roger Wang ’30 each placed in the Metroplex Math Contest on January 25.

SENIOR SCORES 2,000TH POINT

Luke Laczkowski ’25 broke St. Mark’s all-time leading scorer record in basketball—a record previously held by his brother Andrew ’20.

Around the Quad

Publications earn national acclaim The recent editions of The ReMarker newspaper, Focus magazine, and The Scientific Marksmen recently won Pacemaker Awards from the National Scholastic Press Association.

Additionally, the October 2024 issue of Focus magazine won “First Place, Best of Show,” and the September 2024 issue of The ReMarker won “Second Place, Best of Show,” at the conference. The 2024 Marksmen yearbook won “Eighth Place, Best of Show.”

Fall and Winter athletic results CROSS COUNTRY The varsity cross country team placed fifth in the Fall SPC Championship meet. Sophomore Jackson Bailey led the way with a 9th-place finish, earning All-SPC honors.

FENCING The fencing team had a great season, with Carson Bosita ’25, Christopher Guffey ’26, Collin Ku ’27, and Hamzah Salman ’28 competing at North American Cup National Tournaments.

BASKETBALL Varsity basketball team finished third in the Winter SPC Championship.

SWIMMING Varsity swim team placed first in the 2025 SPC Championship, defending its 2023 and 2024 titles. (see next page) SOCCER Varsity soccer team finished third in the 2025 SPC Championship.

FOOTBALL Captained by Henry Estes ’25 and Noah Williams ’25, the Lions posted a 6-win total for the first time in 10 years.

The defense gave up its fewest points in five years and the offense scored its highest point total in 12 years. The season closed with a 21-point comeback in a thrilling finish over ESD.

MARKSMEN PRACTICE DIPLOMACY AT HARVARD

Four members of the Model United Nations Club were recognized at the 2025 Harvard Model United Nations Conference (HMUN) in Boston. Arjun Poi ’25 and Reagan Graeme ’26 won Best Delegation awards. Tarik Syed ’26 and Andrew Liu ’26 shared an Honorable Delegation award.

VOLLEYBALL St. Mark’s varsity volleyball team won the 2024 SPC Boys Volleyball Championship. (see next page) WATER POLO Varsity water polo capped off a successful season by winning the TISCA State Championship. (see next page)

WRESTLING The wrestling team finished seventh in the 2025 Texas Prep State Wrestling Championship, where Ferris Gottlich ’28 won a silver medal, and Wyatt Loehr ’25 won the Prep State title.

The team finished fifth in the 2025 SPC Championship.

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Making their mark

Continued

Swimming retains SPC title The varsity swim team triumphed at the 2025 SPC Championship, defending its 2023 and 2024 titles.

Ethan Wang ’26 broke St. Mark’s 200-yard individual medley record and 100-yard butterfly record, while George Hoverman ’25 broke the 100-yard breaststroke record. All five seniors, Reagan Brower, Leo Scheiner, George Hoverman, Sebastian Illum, and Benjamin Chen recorded points in this historic meet, capping off their remarkable careers.

SENIORS GIVE BACK

Volleyball team wins 14th SPC title St. Mark’s varsity volleyball team finished the season by winning the 2024 SPC Boys Volleyball Championship to earn the program’s 14th SPC title.

MUSICIANS SELECTED FOR TPSMEA ALL-STATE

Four Marksmen made the Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA) All-State Concert Band, one made All-State Jazz Band, seven made All-State Orchestra, and ten made All-State Choir.

ROBOTICS MEETS THE CHALLENGE

The 6th-grade Robotics Team (Anindya Kandregula, Vihaan Jain, Ron Drori-Lipin, Rayaan Sadruddin, and Michael Nguyen) placed 1st in the First LEGO League Challenge.

Lawrence Gardner (above) organized a tutoring club and raised thousands of dollars for Beacon Hill Academy, a nonprofit that provides free tutoring for DISD students who are below reading level. Arjun Poi coordinated collecting more than 1,100 books for the nonprofit Rays of Light, which supports families with special-needs children.

Dylan Taylor founded PELOTA, which provides sports gear and educational supplies to economically disadvantaged children. Deven Pietrzak launched a nonprofit that provides free tutoring and resources to underserved and at-risk students.

Around the Quad

WATER POLO WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

After an undefeated season in the state of Texas, the varsity water polo team capped off a great season with an impressive win at the TISCA State Championship. This marks the Lions’ fifth straight championship season.

National Merit semifinalists Artists featured in local exhibit Carson Bosita ’25, Aidan Moran ’25, Hale Peterson ’25, Beau Bacon ’26, Riggs Bean ’26, and Oliver Perez ’26 were featured in the Dallas Young Artist Exhibition at Blue Print Gallery in Dallas. Hale ’25 also received second place for his painting Scales (above).

Twenty-nine members of the Class of 2025 were named National Merit semifinalists: Zachary Andrews, Carson Bosita, Matthew Bybee, Surya Dinesh, Austin Dunbar, Teddy Fleiss, Noah Grant, Neel Jain, Andrew Jin, Linyang Lee, Luke Lemons, Wyatt Loehr, Shyam Maddukuri, Akash Manickam, Jeremy Mau, Akul Mittal, Adithya Munshi, Jaden Ouyang, Deven Pietrzak, Arjun Poi, Samuel Posten, Hilton Sampson, Daniel Sun, Joseph Sun, Andrew Xuan, Max Yan, Junkai Yang, Neil Yepuri, and Ethan Zhang.

ARTS & LETTERS

Tim Chong ’31, Hernan Saenz ’30, Trevor Hsu ’29, Joshua Goforth ’26, and Nathan Peng ’28 placed in the top three of their respective age ranges at the 20th Annual Dallas Chinese Community Center Calligraphy Competition.

WORDSMITHS

The Class of 2033 achieved Highest Honors in the WordMasters Challenge, placing second in the nation in its first meet of the year.

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Holidays

Winter holiday traditions bring the spirit of giving and good cheer to campus.

‘The holidays are about fostering a spirit of gratitude, generosity, and connection.’

— WILLIAM MORROW ’25

REFLECTION.

David Gershenson ’25 participates in Hanukkah Chapel.

MATCH POINT.

Marksmen enjoy the festivities during the annual McDonald’s Week, in support of Austin Street Center.

SWEET.

Lower Schoolers enjoy hot chocolate with their Senior buddies.

CONNECTIONS.

Marksmen spend the day with their special guests on Grandparents’ Day.

Around the Quad

‘This tradition represents the young man willing to carry forward the generations that come after him.’

— LUKAS PALYS ’25 FRIENDSHIP.

Below and left, Lower Schoolers decorate the tree with the help of their Senior buddies.

CELEBRATION.

Marksmen display their handmade banners during Banner Chapel.

HARMONY.

Choristers sing nine traditional carols during the Lessons & Carols candlelit service.

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Conversations

Around the Harkness Table This year’s Literary Festival marked the 18th annual celebration of reading, writing, and the literary arts.

The Literary Festival began in 2008 when Marksman Jake McAuley ’08 was inspired by a novel he read over summer break, Old School by Tobias Wolff. The book follows a boy in the 1960s who attends a preparatory school and dreams of becoming a writer. Throughout the novel, the school invites multiple famous authors to campus, giving students a chance to learn from their work. Inspired to start something similar at St. Mark’s, McAuley brought the idea to Arnie Holtberg, then St. Mark’s Headmaster, thus beginning what has now turned into an iconic tradition at the School.

McAuley is now an author and journalist himself, and even returned to campus as a guest writer at the 10th St. Mark’s Literary Festival – seated right next to his inspiration, Tobias Wolff.

HOMECOMING. Max Marshall ’12 speaks to Upper Schoolers in Decherd.

Conversations

S

ince its inception, the Literary Festival has grown immensely each year while retaining its original mission of showcasing the joy of literature. “The goal is to perpetuate interest in the literary arts, celebrate the literary arts, and to show students, especially those who might be interested in a career in writing, how it is possible to do that and to make a living,” said David Brown, St. Mark’s Director of Character & Leadership Education and Director of the Literary Festival, said.

Each year, multiple writers from different backgrounds and disciplines come to campus to share their creative processes, writing influences, and career paths. This year’s lineup included R. F. Kuang – bestselling novelist, and Brent P. Johnson ’89 Guest Writer, John Allman – children’s writer, Arnie Holtberg – young-adult fiction author Rachel Kann – poet, and Max Marshall ’12 – journalist and author.

‘The Literary Festival has helped teach me how to adapt, critically think, and manage responsibilities.’

—DEVEN AURORA ‘27

Alongside David Brown, six student leaders came together to bring this year’s event to life – Alex Dahlander ’26, William Kozoman ’26, Ben Standefer ’26, Deven Aurora ’27, James Dunlap ’27, and Payton Elder ’27.

In the months leading up to the festival, the student leaders work tirelessly to spread the word and recruit authors. “The Literary Festival has helped teach me how to adapt, critically think, and manage responsibilities greater than normally given to a small group of teenagers. Five other students and I were tasked with reaching out to and communicating with authors and corporations much more established than ourselves, and although the conversations and emails seemed daunting, we found that people actually took us and the Literary Festival very seriously,” Aurora said.

The student leaders were thrilled to be involved and see their peers get excited about the event. “Throughout the day, dozens of students approached me, eager to learn more about the authors, asking where they could buy their books, and showing genuine engagement with the material we had worked all year to bring to them,” Standefer said.

On the day of the festival, the guest writers gathered in front of auditoriums and around Harkness Tables with Lower, Middle, and Upper School students to engage in lively discussions on a broad range of topics.

The interactivity of the Harkness Table allows Marksmen to sit across from writers face to face. “It puts a living person with a book that might have previously felt distant, which adds to the enjoyment of the book,” Brown said.

FIRSTHAND. R.F. Kuang, bestselling author and Brent P. Johnson ’89 Guest Writer, speaks about her experiences as a writer.

ABOUT THE GUEST WRITERS R. F. Kuang is an award-winning novelist with two #1 New York Times bestsellers, Babel and Yellowface. Kuang spoke on a panel discussion in Decherd, diving into her experiences from her career in literature.

John Allman is a children’s author, with books such as A is for Audra: Broadway’s Leading Ladies from A to Z, which has been praised as “a true necessity for any kid’s bookshelf.” Allman spent his day sharing his books with the Lower School.

Arnie Holtberg is a young-adult fiction author and former St. Mark’s Headmaster. He wrote Game On! One Boy’s Odyssey, which follows a boy from middle school throughout the path to manhood. He spent his day interacting with the 6th grade.

Rachel Kann is a writer, poet, and spoken-word artist. She has published three spoken-word albums, four poetry collections, and You Sparkle Inside, a children’s book. She sat around a Harkness Table with Marksmen, answering questions and sharing advice.

Max Marshall ’12 is a journalist and author. He shared his first book, Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story, with Upper School English and Journalism students.

1 4, 15 T H E P R I D E M AG A ZI N E | SPR I N G 202 5 Continued from previous page

QUESTION AND ANSWER. R.F. Kuang speaks with an Upper School class.

‘Some of the greatest conversations I have ever had were with the authors from the Literary Festival — not about their work but about them as people.’

—ALEX DAHLANDER ‘26

Getting a firsthand look into an author’s personality makes a huge impact on students. “Some of the greatest conversations I have ever had were with the authors from the Literary Festival – not about their work but about them as people. From reading all their works to meeting them in person, you can see their personalities instilled in their characters,” Dahlander said.

This year’s Brent P. Johnson ’89 Guest Writer, R.F. Kuang, spoke to Upper School students about her experiences finding early success in the publishing world, while John Allman, children’s writer, spent his day in the Lower School, sharing his books with 1st-4th grade classes.

For students with an interest in making writing their career, this intimate experience around the Harkness Table is invaluable. Max Marshall ’12 is just one of many Marksmen who have been inspired by the festival to follow their dream

of a career in the literary arts. When Marshall attended the festival as a student in 2012, he heard from a writer who never thought it was possible to make a living as a writer – yet he made it happen. This gave Marshall the courage he needed to aim for the same goal. He is now an established author and journalist, and got to share his first book, Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story, with students this year as one of the festival’s guest writers.

Marshall was paired with Deven Aurora at this year’s festival, and the two became fast friends. “During the day, we basically went to different classes and Max talked about his book and the social issues it presented to various Upper School English and Journalism classes,” Aurora said. “By the end of the day, Max and I had become fairly close, and we exchanged phone numbers. We still text each other regularly – he has sent me random music recommendations and playlists,

Conversations

‘Throughout the day, dozens of students approached me, eager to learn more about the authors…’

—BEN STANDEFER ’26

DISCUSSION. Arnie Holtberg, Rachel Kann, R.F. Kuang, and Max Marshall ’12 gather in Decherd for an Upper School panel discussion.

and I send him updates about my songwriting progress and the various bands I am in. He is truly a role model to me and has inspired me to invest more time into songwriting and music in general.”

David Brown noted that the festival is equally as important to those who do not plan on following a career path in the literary arts. “For a lot of students, once they graduate from high school or college and they get into their career, the tendency is to stop being readers in the same way they enjoyed it when they were younger. I think the festival serves as inspiration for how important it is in ongoing education to continue to be readers, not just of the newspaper, but of serious literature, no matter what genre. It impacts all students – both in the present, to continue enjoying what he reads, and in the future, to be a lifelong reader,” he said.

‘The festival serves as inspiration for how important it is in ongoing education to continue to be readers of serious literature.’

— DAVID BROWN

Director of the Literary Festival, and Director of Character & Leadership Education

EXPERIENCE. John Allman shares his books with the Lower School.

STORIES. Various works from this year’s guest authors.

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First person

Director of Security Dale Hackbarth

Dale Hackbarth cherishes numerous memories from his time at St. Mark’s, both serving on a security detail and leading the security department.

The memory that stands out most to Dale Hackbarth from his tenure on campus as Director of Security is when an EF3 tornado tore across North Texas, including touching down at 10600 Preston Road.

“I remember receiving a call from Security Officer Daniel Mauch at 9 o’clock that Sunday night. I asked him to send me a couple of photos. I could see the cinderblock wall of the security office that had been Daniel’s protection as the rest of the building was destroyed,” Hackbarth said. “I was so thankful that Daniel – the sole person on

campus – was not injured.”

The entire community coming together and supporting others in need stands out most to Hackbarth. That obligation to serve also defines his career.

Growing up in Wisconsin, Hackbarth originally had no intention of being a law enforcement professional.

“The only reason I picked Carroll College was to play basketball,” Hackbarth said.

After graduation, he worked various jobs with little direction until his older brother Mike, a Dallas police officer, approached Dale.

“We had one of those brother-to-brother talks, and he thought that law enforcement would be a good fit for me. A month after that conversation, the Dallas Police Department (DPD) was coming to Milwaukee for interviews,” Hackbarth said.

His initial interview led to a follow-up interview in Dallas with an offer to join the force.

After the academy and probationary period, Hackbarth was set to begin his first night on solo patrol when he received some sage advice.

“I remember my sergeant saying, ‘Dale, if you don’t know by now, we don’t have quotas, we don’t care about traffic tickets. Take care of your on-call arrests.’ That’s a serious statement: Don’t go out there looking for traffic violations, just make the proper arrests and take care of your business.”

Hackbarth enjoyed many years serving on the DPD, including several as a SWAT officer.

“Somebody during my SWAT days approached me, asking if I wanted a part-time job. I was, and he introduced me to the security coordinator for a local family,” Hackbarth said.

He was hired as a part-time security detail for the family who had St. Mark’s connections. Over the years Hackbarth established a relationship with St. Mark’s, eventually helping coordinate added security with off-duty DPD officers. Shortly after the Sandy Hook school shooting, he received an email from Chief Financial Officer Suzanne Townsend asking to meet.

Conversations

“They [Townsend and then Headmaster Arnie Holtberg] asked me, ‘What are your retirement plans?’ I said I plan on a few more years in the department before I retire,” Hackbarth said. “They said, ‘Why don’t you go home and think about what it would take to retire now and become our Director of Security.”

Hackbarth spoke to his wife and wrote his letter of resignation from the DPD two weeks later.

‘We’ve come a long way from gates and guards, on the technology side of things.’

School security has its own unique challenges compared to law enforcement.

“Carpools have a lot of moving parts: new drivers, kids walking to carpool, and drivers that are sometimes on their cell phone,” Hackbarth said. “If after-school events are going on, we have heavier traffic from

visitor buses, parents, and other students, coming and going.”

With these unique challenges, Hackbarth and his team always strive to ensure that St. Mark’s remains welcoming to all.

“Parents love the open, welcoming atmosphere here, but it’s followed up by saying, ‘We love it because we also feel safe.’ We hang our hat on how welcoming this campus is, but with that, we have to stay visible, we have to stay vigilant, and we have to be out there,” Hackbarth said.

The 40-acre campus at 10600 Preston Road is safeguarded around the clock by a dedicated team of full-time security professionals, including six retired DPD officers, many with SWAT experience. Security is further enhanced by a roster of off-duty DPD officers.

“The team is exceptional, but I always tell my guys when they come aboard, do not be surprised when you ask a student how he is doing, he stops, looks you in the eye and gives you a complete answer, then asks how was your weekend. This is a unique environment,” Hackbarth said.

Hackbarth sees these meaningful connections as crucial to his team’s greatest task.

“Developing relationships with the people that regularly come to campus is the best way to ensure their safety,” Hackbarth said. “This security staff understands the class schedule, school events, and sports schedules. This is critical for recognizing who belongs on campus and who does not.”

‘Developing relationships with the people that regularly come to campus is the best way to ensure their safety.’

The School has continually supported Hackbarth’s efforts to keep the St. Mark’s experience intact through the ever-evolving landscape of school security.

“St. Mark’s takes a multilayer approach to this challenge, which has proven to be successful,” Hackbarth said.

Maintaining such a high level of vigilance across a 40-acre, multi-building campus is no small task, and the security team employs the latest technology to assist them. The School recently enhanced its monitoring system, adding dozens of cameras and AI-powered monitoring software to keep a close eye on campus, the facilities, the parking lots, and the perimeter.

“We’ve come a long way from gates and guards, on the technology side of things,” Hackbarth said. “If there is anything that I think we need, I’ve never been told ‘no.’ I have the total support of St. Mark’s.”

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300 Words

Get to know some folks around campus — in exactly 300 words.

Family and faith play a major role in the life of Stefen Glenn, an electrical maintenance engineer.

Spending a lot of time with his grandparents growing up, Glenn enjoyed a deeply special connection with his grandfather. “He did everything with me and helped make me the man I am today,” Glenn said. “We bonded watching World Class Championship Wrestling. One of the wrestlers I liked was Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts. Fast-forward to years later, I now go to church with Roberts’s twin boys and met Jake in person. I have had the privilege of serving alongside Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts. That connection reminds me of my grandfather who was also my best friend.”

His career as an electrician can also be attributed to his grandfather. “I got into electrical work probably because of my grandfather, who worked for Texas Power and Light (now Oncor),” Glenn said.

Glenn attended a 4-year electrical school, working tirelessly while he studied. He obtained his electrician’s license in 1999 and graduated from high school in 2000. “I have now been doing electrical work for almost 30 years,” he said.

After Glenn did contract electrical work at St. Mark’s for several years, Mark Webb, Director of Physical Plant, asked if Glenn would be interested in full-time work. “Of course, I jumped at the chance,” Glenn said.

Church is central to Glenn’s life and he cherishes meaningful moments of faith he has shared with his family. “Several years ago, my wife and I started going to Lifeway Church in Celina, where we became partners in the church. I have had the absolute honor of baptizing my wife, stepson, and my youngest daughter.”

“We have seen God work in our lives and he has shown us he’s with us numerous times, that is something beyond amazing,” Glenn said.

Although in her first year as a St. Mark’s nurse, Chi-chi Acho is not new on campus. More than anything, this was a homecoming.

Her family has Marksmen roots, as brothers Sam ’07 and Emmanuel ’08 attended St. Mark’s, and Acho herself is a Hockaday alumna and former St. Mark’s cheerleader. “I attended

football and basketball games and was on carpool duty for my brothers once I started driving. It felt like I was always on campus,” she said.

The family’s next generation of Marksmen are already here. “My husband, Afam, and I knew we wanted our son, Zachary, to attend St. Mark’s. When he was accepted last year, we were over the moon,” Acho said.

Acho’s love for pediatric nursing started early: “In the 1990s, my parents started an annual medical mission trip to Nigeria, and I would help the pediatric medical providers because I loved pediatrics so much.”

“It’s amazing to see how much joy a simple dose of free Tylenol gives a family or the gratitude that a family has when we can perform a surgery they could never afford. These trips have shaped the way I look at life, my purpose, and my perspective on what really matters,” Acho said.

Acho’s journey to a nursing career did have some early twists and turns. After studying premed at Northwestern and acquiring an MBA in healthcare administration at Baylor, she realized she missed clinical medicine: “Watching the nurses work directly with patients to manage their acute and chronic illnesses stirred up the desire to go back to school and get a nursing degree.”

Now she is ready to care for Marksmen: “Once I saw the school nurse position, I jumped at the opportunity.

It’s not really what brought me to St. Mark’s; it is what brought me back.”

Conversations

No matter where life takes her, you will not keep Isabel Cisneros away from Texas — or teaching — for long. As a St. Mark’s Spanish teacher and Assistant Director of Community Service, Cisneros continues to find ways to serve through instruction and helping others.

After graduating from Baylor, her first teaching job was as a North American language and culture assistant for the U.S. Embassy in Spain. Cisneros then taught at Colegio Estudio, a private K-12 school in Madrid.

Her last year abroad, she completed a Master of Arts in Spanish Literature from Middlebury College, traveling to Madrid and Guadalajara. The program was an immersive learning experience. “I took the Middlebury College

Language Pledge, which meant I only spoke, read, wrote, and heard Spanish throughout my time in the graduate program.”

After Spain, Texas came calling. Cisneros worked as a temporary lecturer of Spanish at Baylor, then took a break from teaching to work as Assistant Director of the International and Study Abroad Program at the University of Houston-Downtown. But in 2014, the classroom beckoned her back.

“I realized I missed working with students in the classroom. I looked for and found my current position at St. Mark’s,” Cisneros said.

Three years later, fellow St. Mark’s Spanish teacher and Director of Community Service Jorge Correa invited her to join the Community Service Office.

“I believe that everything can be a learning experience.

In the classroom, my students learn vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, culture, and history. Outside the classroom, my students learn about real-world experiences such as teaching someone how to read, feeding clients at a shelter, or building a home for a family,” Cisneros said.

“One of my favorite things to hear is when a student tells me: ‘Señora, I was able to use my Spanish in my community service this week!’”

Faith, Hockaday, and the Middlebury College Language Pledge.

STEFEN GLENN Year Appointed: 2012 CHI-CHI ACHO Year Appointed: 2024 ISABEL CISNEROS Year Appointed: 2014

E V E R G R E AT E R

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The Journey of & Character Leadership at St. Mark’s

‘Through adversity, we as a school, as an institution, as a community, have emerged stronger and deeper in our conviction and our mission to helping BOYS BECOME GOOD MEN.’ —DAVID W. DINI Eugene McDermott Headmaster

M AY Y O U r i s e .

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‘Over the past 100 years, other members of this community have given time, talent, and treasure, and all of our sons here are the recipients of that generosity. To all past donors, we THANK YOU, and we’ll do our best to continue to carry that forward.’

—DAVID ZIERK

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Welcome home

THE NORTHEAST CORNER of campus has transformed several times over the decades. It has been the site of a farm, an open field, houses, the Thomas O. Hicks Family Athletic Center and Albert G. Hill, Sr. Family Tennis Center, and in the devastating path of the 2019 tornado.

With construction of the Zierk Athletic Center and of Hill Tennis Center complete, this section of 10600 Preston Road stands to significantly touch the lives of Marksmen on campus for decades to come.

Shortly after the 2019 tornado, the Board of Trustees formed the Athletic Center Planning Committee, tasked

with determining the best way to reimagine Hicks Gym and renew the northeast quadrant of campus. Led

by Carl Sewell ’02, Trustees, project partners, and school leadership, this Committee worked diligently, meeting with numerous design firms, consultants, and experts.

As plans progressed, the challenge ahead emerged as a unique opportunity to make a once-ina-generation investment in the experiences of all Marksmen. Once the scope and scale of the project were determined, a deliberate plan to secure the neccessary funding was initiated. The Board maintains a strict

policy of breaking ground on new facilities only after all funds for the project have been committed. Thanks to the generosity of more than 120 community members, the School raised the project’s total cost in only two years, allowing construction to begin on May 9, 2023.

The new complex was also built in under two years, providing not only state-of-the-art facilities for our Marksmen, but a symbol of perseverance, excellence, and community. These facilities enable every Marksman to reach his full potential on the playing field, and more important, in life.

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‘This building ULTIMATELY REPRESENTS that, at St. Mark’s, we are committed to be the best in every single thing that we do. We’re committed to the whole-boy mission. We’re committed to athletics. And we’re committed because we know sports play an outsized role in the development of GOOD BOYS BECOMING GREAT YOUNG MEN.’ —J. CARL SEWELL III ’02 Board of Trustees, Athletic Center Planning Committee Chair

HICKS GYM

A new state-of-the-art competition gymnasium housing Tom Adams Court serves as the home for the Lions, carrying forward the legacy of the Hicks Athletic Center. The 900-seat venue also provides multiuse space for large gatherings and community events, in addition to supporting T H E P R I DE M AG A ZI N E | SPR I N G 202 5 physical education programs for Marksmen across all three divisions of the School.

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‘This building will be a BEACON OF COMMUNITY and will be another outlet for students to pursue their Path to Manhood. And I’m excited to see all the tremendous athletic accomplishments that you, the students, will achieve in these walls or out on the court.’

—MATTHEW HOFMANN ’25 Student Council President

LEVERING POOL

A modern natatorium features a 30-meter by 25-yard swimming pool, significantly strengthening aquatics programs at St. Mark’s. The collegiate-level pool enables the Lions to host local, regional, and national competitions for both swimming and water polo, with large second-floor spectator seating for 175, carrying forward a longstanding history of excellence.

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‘I was on the swim team, and it left a LASTING IMPRESSION on me. My dream for the new pool is: ‘That it is FAST --- VERY FAST’, where records fall continuously, and Marksmen win championships in swimming and water polo year after year.’

—CRAIG LEVERING ’75 Emeritus Trustee

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‘Our PRIDE IN ST. MARK’S gives us the motivation to push and create something that RAISES THE BAR. In the new athletic facility, Marksmen will make some of their best friendships and experience their hardest defeats. It will help them find out WHO THEY ARE and WHAT VALUES THEY BELIEVE IN, which will ultimately help them in the world and their lives.’

—ARISH GUPTA ’03

ALBERT G. HILL, SR. FAMILY TENNIS CENTER

At the northeastern edge of the campus and immediately adjacent to the new indoor facility, the Albert G. Hill, Sr. Family Tennis Center is home to six high-performance courts, enabling the Lions to continue their legacy of success. Spectators can watch matches under the shade of the Gupta Family Pavilion with seating for 125.

COMMUNITY LIFE

Connecting the gym and pool is the two story Crow Atrium, filled with natural light for Marksmen and community members to connect and strengthen bonds. Like the A. Earl Cullum, Jr. Alumni Commons and the Winn Science Center, the Zierk Athletic Center provides spaces for student athletes, coaches, parents, alumni, TH E P R I DE M AG A ZI N E | SPR I N G 202 5 and other community members to come together for games, meetings, events, and other important gatherings.

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‘We wanted to create that SENSE OF INTERCONNECTEDNESS and INSPIRATION from our interactions on campus with the open plaza and commanding entry area and then leading into the wide hall inviting people into the building. It is that entry area and hallway that really stands out and defines the values I love about St. Mark’s: the importance

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of COMMUNITY. The focus in this project from day one was always on the DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE, NOT FACILITIES. It is our hope that every Marksman who steps through these doors and competes here focuses not on what he can do athletically, but on who he can become as a Marksman and teammate.’

—KATHY CROW Board of Trustees

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KU FAMILY TERRACE

‘I hope alumni will view the Marksman Alumni Room as their HOME ON CAMPUS—as a dedicated space that honors their legacy and that of their fellow Marksmen. Of course, the terrace will also provide some of the BEST POSSIBLE VIEWS of athletic events taking place in Hunt Family Stadium.’

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—JEFF HILLIER ’76 Board of Trustees

A COMMUNITY SPACE

The Marksman Alumni Room on the second floor provides a large meeting space for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and parents. From the room, visitors can walk out onto the Ku Family Terrace overlooking the Norma & Lamar Hunt Family Stadium.

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‘Athletics play a crucial role in DEVELOPING CHARACTER, RESILIENCE, and TEAMWORK—qualities that complement academics and shape well-rounded leaders beyond competition. This complex will serve as a place where relationships are built, values are strengthened, and boys take important steps on their journey along the PATH TO MANHOOD.’ —MICHAEL WISENBAKER ’93 Board of Trustees

CONNECTING CAMPUS

The Zierk Athletic Center is designed to serve as another community hub, seamlessly fitting into the larger campus.

Able to host multiple games simultaneously, the Center’s pathways and multiple entrances allow foot traffic to flow naturally. The Kim Family Concession Stand also serves both the interior and exterior of the Center.

ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE

St. Mark’s student athletes and coaches prepare for competition in new locker rooms for all indoor and outdoor varsity sports. The new building includes improved meeting spaces for teams, coaches, guests, and other members of the school community. The second floor features offices for the Director and Associate Director of Athletics, multipurpose team meeting rooms to support high performance, and the Marksman Alumni Room with the Ku Family Terrace overlooking Norma & Lamar Hunt Family Stadium.

‘The new facilities elevate an already outstanding COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE in athletics and give us hosting capabilities that we have never had before on our campus.’

—SEAN LISSEMORE Athletic Director

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BEYOND ATHLETICS

In addition to investing in athletics, the project supports the campus master plan, including expanded resources for campus safety, security, and maintenance. Infrastructure improvements feature an integrated storm shelter, mechanical systems expansion, revisions to parking, new pedestrian walkways, and further enhancements to campus landscaping.

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‘The new facility allows us to work on large equipment indoors. We also have a shop where we can do metalwork and woodwork. Instead of keeping material, hardware, and supplies in other buildings across campus, the new storage space allows us to keep everything in one area.

It will help us to be more PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF REACTIVE.’ —MARK WEBB Director of the Physical Plant

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CUTTING EDGE. Sean Lissemore, Scott Jolly, David Dini, Fraser Marcus ’72, Dawn Zierk, David Zierk, Carl Sewell ’02, Lindsey Wisenbaker, Michael Wisenbaker ’93, Henry Estes ’25, and Matthew Hofmann ’25 dedicate Zierk Athletic Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 21, 2025.

“Today, we stand before a SHINING SYMBOL of how this community responded to challenge. This building project reflects those essential and unalienable traits of CHARACTER, PRIDE, EXCELLENCE, and RESILIENCE that make up the heart and soul of a Marksman.”

—FRASER MARCUS ’72 Board of Trustees President

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Thank you

Thank you to the incredible families and organizations who helped make the Zierk Athletic Center and the Albert G. Hill, Sr. Family Tennis Center possible.

Donors Anonymous (5) Marcy Adams Tom Adams* Elizabeth & Olu Adeoye Debbie & Jim Adler ’61 Julie & Sulman Ahmed Katie & David Aisner Hayley & Connor Anderson ’12 Kelly & Patrick Barker Hong & Jim Bass ’77 Richard D. Bass Foundation Flauren & Jason Bender Stacy & Eric Calder Tamara & David Campbell ’86 Sarah & Terry Cao Constance & Daniel Chu ’81 Class of 2023 Tonika Cheek Clayton & Taj Clayton The Rita Crocker Clements Foundation Cathy & Mark Cohen Joy & Matt Coit ’90 Kathy & Harlan Crow Cynthia & Jay Desai Chandra Dhandapani & Adhavan Manickam Nancy & David Dini Callie Emery & Marc Brundige Blake Estess ’87 Sandra Estess Caroline and Neil Ferrini ’04 Divya and Vino Ferrini JoJo & Eric Fleiss Kathryn & Jim Francis Dena & Eric Frankfurt ’78 Sara & David Gail Susan & Sean Gallagher ’87 Wendy & Paul Genender ’87 Margaret & Smokey Goodrich ’65 Rosalind Redfern Grover Rosson Grover Kanchana & Arish Gupta ’03 Yasmin & Satish Gupta Stephanie & Beau Harbour ’01 Jan & Bruce Harbour *Deceased

Colleen & David Hayes Jamie Helwig ’01 Margretta & William Henderson Kim & Hudson Henley Heidi & Andrew Hill Lyda Hill Philanthropies Hillcrest Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee Kathryne & Jeff Hillier ’76 Dee Dee & Hale Hoak Nancy & Jim Hoak Hoblitzelle Foundation Tavia & Clark Hunt ’83 Dan Hunt ’96 Anne & Mike Hyun Chantall & Taylor Jenkins ’03 Melinda & Jim Johnson Karlene & Scott Jolly Adrianne Jordan Burt Jordan ’60* Carole & Chris Jordan ’70 Sally Junkins Morgan & Scott Kennedy Clark & Chris Kennington Mallory & Kapps Killingstad ’06 HS Yoon & Wan Kim Nan Teele & Yoo Jin Kim Bryan King ’89 Teresa & Luther King Family Foundation Heather & Mason King ’94 Tracey & Aaron Kozmetsky Will Kozmetsky ’19 Lisa & Peter Kraus ’78 Christine & Lowell Ku ’89 Kasey & Todd Lemkin Carrie & Craig Levering ’75 Karen & Bruce Lobdell Whitney & Tom Madine Binky & Bobby Majumder Sowmya & Satish Manduva Holly & Tom Mayer Cristy & David McAtee ’87 Koren & Jim McGinnis Erin & Mike McKool Megan & Casey McManemin ’79 Natalie & Adam Miller The Marion W. Minton & Walter J. Minton Foundation Inc.

Barbara & Jim Moroney Anne-Marie & Jon Myhre ’96 Karen & Charlie Nearburg ’68 Charlie Neil ’08 Jean & Jim Neil Whitney & Trip Neil ’03 Pauline & Austin Neuhoff ’87 Claire & Phil Newman The Parents’ Association of St. Mark’s School of Texas Mary & Jamey Rhoades Katherine & William Roberts ’88 Nancy Cain Marcus Robertson Sandy Robertson* Carrie & Ryan Robinson ’86 Lisa & John Rocchio Ralph B. Rogers Foundation Linda & David Rogers ’77 Ellen & Dick Rogers ’58 Anne & Jamie Rogers ’85 Candice & Tony Romo Robert Sandfield ’67 Julie & Jon Sayah ’80 Mardie & Alan Schoellkopf ’60 Cristie and Rodney Schlosser Karen & Alan Schoellkopf ’91 Peggy & Carl Sewell ’61 Josie & Carl Sewell ’02 Maile Shea Kendra Rorrie & Dan Smith Bonnie & Peter Smith Katherine & Brian Steinbrueck Alison & Matthew Stone Rae & Craig Story Holly & David Sudbury Bobby Sussman ’85 Julie & Jay Teinert Suzanne & David Townsend Lori & Jeff Turpin ’78 Christi and Hal Urschel ’77 Fallon & Robie Vaughn ’74 Victor Vescovo ’84 Anne Wallach Casey Wallach John Wallach Matt Wallach ’99 Lea & Fry Wernick ’95 Alissa & Cody Wikert ’05

Alinda & Jim Wikert Shanin & Bryan Wilburn Lindsey & Michael Wisenbaker ’93 Wesley Wisenbaker ’96 Liz & William Wolcott ’02 Christine Chen & Jonathan Yao Dawn & David Zierk Erin & Joe Zopolsky ’92

Project Partners 3. Fromme Design The Beck Group Blanchard Group CannonDesign Counsilman-Hunsaker Hodgson Douglas Landscape Architecture Legends Project Development RLG Consulting Engineers

“This project reflects the essence of St. Mark’s — a community rooted in GENEROSITY, VISION, and A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. It highlights the shared commitment to building an even stronger foundation that further supports FUTURE GENERATIONS to thrive and make a positive impact on society.”

—DR. LOWELL KU ’89 Alumni Association Vice President

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Countless s t o r i e s of

Lasting impact How the St. Mark’s Endowment shapes generations

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In its 2024 Annual Report, the School reported an endowment value of just over $180 million.

It’s an impactful number.

EACH YEAR, St. Mark’s releases its annual report, disclosing its financial health over the past fiscal year. Listed among other assets is a single line item simply titled Endowment. In its 2024 Annual Report, the School reported an endowment value of just over $180 million. That’s an impactful number.

But, the endowment is much more than one number. In reality, the endowment is 232 individual funds. And behind each of those funds are hundreds of community members who each decided to make a meaningful contribution to St. Mark’s. Those decisions represent the lasting impact St. Mark’s has made – and continues to make – on countless students and families.

St. Mark’s is a school that takes the long view. Baked into its mission is the value of delaying gratification.

In many ways, the endowment is a financial embodiment of this ideal: investments today will yield dividends over many years to come.

“The endowment is literally the gift that keeps on giving,” said Fraser Marcus ’72, Board of Trustees President. “It provides a foundation that generates investment returns for generations to follow.”

To keep the School on sound financial footing, the Board of Trustees dictates a set endowment drawdown each fiscal year. For example, the most recent Annual Report showed that the endowment is valued at more than $180 million, and it provided roughly $5 million toward the 2023-2024 operating budget. This responsible planning ensures that the School has what it needs today – and will continue to have what it needs for the foreseeable future.

Diving into any one of the endowment’s 232 individual funds reveals a story of the School’s impact and how members of the community are inspired to sustain and enhance that powerful impact.

ENDOWMENT FUNDS $62 M Financial Aid helps boys and families with demonstrated need access the full breadth of the St. Mark’s experience.

$60.3 M Faculty Support funds endowed positions and professional development.

$33.3 M Sustaining St. Mark’s and maintaining worldclass facilities.

$25.6 M Program Support funds continued excellence of a St. Mark’s education.

TOTAL: $181.2 M

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An Investment in wellness

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MORE THAN $25 MILLION of the endowment is earmarked to support programs across campus.

From community service to journalism and choir to student travel, these funds provide a way for families to invest in the School and support an area of the School that aligns with their passions.

These funds also give the School more flexibility in its operating budget.

For the Mehendale family, an endowment fund allows them to ensure the outstanding experience their son, Raja ’24, received at St. Mark’s endures for the next generations of Marksmen.

Raja, a 4-year varsity track and cross country athlete, sustained a potentially career-ending injury his junior year. It kept him on the sidelines for nearly an entire year and required a cross-campus effort to help him through his recovery, both on and off the track.

“The St. Mark’s athletic trainers, nursing staff, and counselors were crucial to his improvement,” said Dr. Kimberly Mehendale, Raja’s

FULL SUPPORT. Head Cross Country Coach Ryan Hershner, Dr. Kimberly Mehendale, Raja Mehendale ’24, and Dr. Neelesh Mehendale.

mother. In addition to being a longtime physician specializing in pediatric and adolescent care, Dr. Mehendale is also a member of St. Mark’s Medical Advisory Committee and Board of Trustees.

“We want every boy at St. Mark’s to have access to outstanding athletic wellness catering to diverse needs regardless of their means.”

The Mehendale Family Athletic Wellness Fund is among the directed endowment funds that support the School’s holistic student wellness program, which encompasses those essential athletic trainers, nurses,

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counselors, and support staff.

The Mehendale Fund provides professional development and equipment in support of strength, conditioning, and recovery.

“Health and wellness are an integral part of a St. Mark’s education,” Dr. Mehendale said.

“Having trainers, nurses, and counseling staff who are continually educated in the rehabilitation process along with state-of-theart equipment are paramount to getting boys back to their education academically and athletically as quickly as possible.”

St. Mark’s athletic trainers regularly attend national symposiums and advanced training for sports medicine. These trainers also work closely with the strength and conditioning coaches to prepare athletes for the physicality of competition.

“We receive incredible support here, from top-notch facilities and equipment to opportunities for professional development,” said Head Cross Country Coach Ryan Hershner, who helped Raja through his recovery.

Hershner adds that the School takes a comprehensive approach to caring for every boy. “It’s essential for coaches and teachers to focus on the whole person, not just the student or the athlete. There are a lot of moving parts in a recovery, and everyone staying on the same page is key.”

TAKE CARE. Athletic Trainer Natalie Bumpas cares for an injured student-athlete.

‘We want every boy at St. Mark’s to have access to outstanding athletic wellness catering to diverse needs regardless of their means.’

— Dr. Kimberly Mehendale

The trainers also work closely with the school nurses, teachers, and counselors to craft a plan suited to each boy’s unique needs.

On and off the field, staff like Head Athletic Trainer Matt Hjertstedt strives to ensure Marksmen athletes are doing all they can to avoid injury.

“I always hope for no injuries, but guiding families through the whole injury process, from acute care to the return to competition, although difficult, is deeply fulfilling,” Hjertstedt said. The journey to healing often leads to lasting bonds between trainers and athletes. “I love watching recovered athletes find success and am grateful for the relationships I have formed from spending hours of time together.”

Thanks to families like the Mehendales who support the endowment, St. Mark’s can provide the highest possible support for its athletes – both now and into the future.

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An Investment in Accessibility

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MORE THAN A THIRD of the endowment is set aside for financial aid – $62 million from nearly 100 individual funds. Each of those funds were established by community members who wanted to ensure future generations of qualified boys have access to a St. Mark’s education.

This sentiment inspired the Class of 1967 to establish a financial aid endowment fund four decades after graduating.

“Several members of our Class had been financial aid recipients while St. Mark’s students and wanted to give back to the School for the benefits that they received from a St. Mark’s education,” said Bennett Cullum ’67, who helps lead the Class giving efforts.

By establishing an endowment fund, the Class was able to provide ongoing support for students for generations to come.

“We believed that alumni should serve the long-term interests of the School,” Cullum said. “We also realized that an endowment fund could serve as a vehicle for

donations from class members for years to come.”

This year, funds from the endowment accounted for more than half of the nearly $4 million in financial assistance provided to St. Mark’s families.

“Without financial aid, we would not have been able to send our son to St. Mark’s,” said the parent of a recent graduate. “These funds are more than dollars – they are allowing great boys to become outstanding young men.”

In addition to tuition, financial aid funds support the full St. Mark’s experience for each student. Supplemental aid includes student experiences, academic support, and school supplies not already included in tuition.

“Our eldest son was able to join

‘Donors are literally giving the world to our family, and we are eternally grateful for them.’

—

Current Parent

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‘When we’re going around the Harkness table, everyone brings a different perspective to whatever we’re talking about. I hear things that challenge me or that I hadn’t thought of before. That’s how we all grow.’

— Matthew Hofmann ’25

classmates on a school-sponsored trip overseas this past year thanks to supplemental aid,” said the parent of a current student. “Donors are literally giving the world to our family, and we are eternally grateful for them.”

The benefits of financial aid go far beyond the families receiving aid. As a rising tide lifts all boats, increased funds for access and affordability will help mitigate tuition costs for all students.

Beyond the financial impact for aid recipients, providing more opportunities to students across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex benefits

every student at St. Mark’s. By expanding its applicant pool, St. Mark’s creates a richer and more diverse student body, elevating the experience for all students.

“One of the most important things you can bring to school is your perspective,” said Matthew Hofmann ’25, Student Council President. “When we’re going around the Harkness Table, everyone brings a different perspective to whatever we’re talking about. I hear things that challenge me or that I hadn’t thought of before. That’s how we all grow.”

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An Investment in Teachers

Continued from previous page

AT THE END OF EACH SCHOOL

year, after students have departed campus, the faculty and staff gather in the Great Hall for a final luncheon before summer break. Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini takes this opportunity to honor the accomplishments of his colleagues and announce special faculty awards, including the longevity awards.

Faculty and staff are honored for reaching 5-year milestones. At the 2024 luncheon, several teachers were honored for 30, 35, even 40 years.

And the venerable Marietta Johnson was honored for 50 years of service to St. Mark’s.

This ceremony is as much a celebration of teachers as it is a testament to the investment St. Mark’s has made in recruiting and retaining the very best educators and professionals available.

When speaking about his own experience, Life Trustee Robert Decherd ’69 remarked: “The caliber of the faculty and the tenure of the faculty reflect everything good about the School. These were the men and women who helped shape who I am and who my classmates are.”

Fittingly, the endowment includes more than $60 million in funds for faculty support, including Master Teaching Chairs, professional development, and awards announced at the year-end luncheon.

Faculty support can be seen as an investment, both in the individual and in the School. Teachers use

‘Many of our boys will inevitably face complex humanrelated situations.

So, I hope that what I studied will help them – and me – become more empathetic, patient, kind, and courageous.’

—

Dr. GayMarie Vaughan

these funds to pursue their interests and grow as professionals. In turn, they bring new insights, skills, and ideas back to their classrooms.

Thanks in part to a professional development grant, St. Mark’s Band Director Analisa Rodriguez was able to continue pursuing her Ph.D. in Music Education at the University of North Texas.

Her ongoing work with the boys influenced her doctoral studies, leading her to author a dissertation on “The Sounds of Brotherhood: An Ethnographic Case Study of an AllBoys Band Program.” Her academic study, in turn, naturally benefits her work in the band hall.

“In my research, I have found that boys tend to learn in a kinesthetic way—engaging in movement helps them retain information,” said Rodriguez. “Observing these learning tendencies in real time while reading supporting research has been fascinating and invaluable in refining my teaching approach.”

Elsewhere on campus, students in Dr. GayMarie Vaughan’s Upper School English classes are directly benefiting from faculty support funds. Through professional development funds, Dr. Vaughan earned a Doctor of Liberal Studies in Ethics and Human Rights from Southern Methodist University.

“My research focused on modern, human-centered, ethical dilemmas, so most of what I studied applies directly to my classroom teaching,”

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said Dr. Vaughan, who holds the Victor F. White Master Teaching Chair. “Many of our boys will inevitably face complex humanrelated situations. So, I hope that what I studied will help them – and me – become more empathetic, patient, kind, and courageous.”

She added, “We spend a lot of time as teachers encouraging the boys to be intellectually curious, lifelong learners.

I appreciate the opportunity to model that and show them that intellectual curiosity doesn’t ever end!”

Following the final faculty/staff luncheon, teachers disperse for summer break. In addition to some well-deserved rest and rejuvenation, many teachers take the summer months to pursue professional development through conferences and classes globally.

In the summer of 2024, more than 50 faculty and staff members embarked on professional development opportunities, which included Wilderness First Responder Training, AP Summer Institutes, and the American Library Association Conference.

Fifteen faculty, staff, and administrators traveled to the 2024 International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Annual Conference in London. There, teachers shared best practices and learned from colleagues across the globe.

“It was a highlight to gather with friends and colleagues from around the world to focus on the many ways that we help boys develop into good men,” said David Dini, who was recently elected IBSC’s Board Chair.

“Having hosted this Conference at

HIGH NOTE. St. Mark’s Band Director Analisa Rodriguez is pursuing her Ph.D. in Music Education.

St. Mark’s, our teachers know full well the value of our association with experienced educators across the globe. I’m grateful that so many of our teachers have become actively involved with the Coalition, conducting research, making presentations, forging meaningful relationships, and learning alongside teachers from many other schools.”

The funds that provide teachers with these opportunities are an investment in every sense of the word. St. Mark’s continues to commit resources to its most valuable asset – our faculty and staff – and the School continues to see ever greater returns on that investment. Nearly a quarter of the faculty and staff have been at St. Mark’s for 20 or more years.

This summer, after the school year concludes, faculty and staff will once again gather for their year-end

luncheon, and the School will present 41 longevity awards to faculty and staff members who have dedicated so much of themselves to the work of educating Marksmen. It is an enduring testament to the investment St. Mark’s makes in its teachers and the value that the School – and its boys – receive in return.

Looking over the horizon, St. Mark’s ambition is to grow and strengthen all areas of the School – campus programs, student support, faculty recruitment, facilities, and more. The best way the School can prepare to meet these ambitions is to continue growing and strengthening its endowment. At its core, the endowment is a financial engine that will continue to fuel excellence on all fronts across campus.

It exists only through the combined generosity and dedication of thousands of community members throughout the School’s history.

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Penning the Next Chapter of

Ch ar acter

&

Leader ship Education

BY DAVID BROWN Director of Character & Leadership Education

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—ROBERT DECHERD ’69

‘Character and leadership … those are pretty big ideas.’ When Robert Decherd ’69, St. Mark’s Distinguished Alumnus and Life Trustee, recently offered this opinion, he was describing the profound simplicity of St. Mark’s central mission and ongoing challenge.

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—SENIOR BUDDIES

THE SETTING was the campus’s Fine Arts Center last September, marking the 50th anniversary of the structure named for Decherd’s father and former Board President, H. Ben Decherd. Eugene McDermott Headmaster David Dini engaged Decherd in conversation before Upper School students about St. Mark’s history, and Decherd’s eight-word declaration was simple.

It was also profound because the School’s recent iteration of character and leadership has been twenty years in the making and encompasses a wide-ranging philosophy—one that is honed to our community’s specific needs yet also faces outward to share our vision with other communities. With the Board of Trustees’ adoption of Goals for St. Mark’s IV in 2017 and the publication of the School’s Character & Leadership Handbook in 2018, St. Mark’s is now set to enter a dynamic new phase of implementation. What began in 2005 as a more deliberate decision to address each student’s character and leadership skills and then continued 10 years later with

‘By working to have a strong emphasis on student-driven relationships, St. Mark’s has created a program in which students are held responsible for their actions and work accordingly to solve their own problems.’

—MARSHALL BAGLEY ’26

the creation of the English 10 “Habits of Thriving” course as its curricular home, is now, in its 20th year, taking the next steps to strengthen the Chatacter & Leadership (C&L) mission at home and abroad.

ST. MARK’S COMMITMENT to infuse C&L education into every campus activity has been well covered in Pride articles over the past 20 years. Already in existence in 2005 were the Chapel, Community Service, Senior Buddies, and Wilderness Programs, along with other activities that welcomed support from the enhanced focus on habits of character and skilled leadership. Teaching materials, faculty training sessions, and a more keenly realized ethos followed, engendering such additions as the Lower School’s Leadership Wall, the Middle School’s Leadership Loops and Path to Manhood Portfolios, and the Upper School’s Telos Club.

Encouraged by St. Mark’s intentional focus, many new opportunities have subsequently arisen.

Clubs, like the Random Acts of Kindness Club, offer opportunities

Features

for service that reach beyond our campus borders. St. Mark’s coaches train their athletes to extend C&L lessons beyond the school day to the playing field, where sportsmanship includes more than a handshake after the game. History classes not only study the impact of world events throughout time; they also discuss what leaders’ choices revealed about their engagement, service, and coordination of efforts and how those choices now serve as examples, or sometimes as warnings, for Marksmen.

Lower Schoolers learn early how they might contribute to multiple communities and that they are starting on a Path to Manhood.

These lessons culminate in each 4th grader’s presentation before peers and parents of a narrative report about his journey in Lower School and the ways he is growing into a Marksman ready for Middle School. Along with Leadership Loops, Middle Schoolers benefit from the Health and Wellness Program, which draws upon C&L virtues to promote healthy living.

The Upper School’s Inclusion & Diversity Leadership Council and Global Engagement Committee have inspired open discussions on vital topics for many students.

These activities demonstrate our belief that C&L is not something instructors teach in a classroom or advisory; it is something that manifests itself concretely in the boys’ daily lives.

Perhaps no initiative has been more vital than the decision to make English 10 the curricular residence for Character & Leadership. What began 10 years ago when Upper School English teachers met to discuss this challenge has become an

indispensable fixture in the School’s program. English 10: The Habits of Thriving was featured in The Pride shortly after the course’s debut, detailing the addition of C&L vocabulary, related texts, activities, and philosophy. In the ensuing years, English 10 teachers have reviewed and refined the course, tailoring it to each teacher’s specific approach and selection of additional texts, without compromising the powerful core of the new curriculum.

FROM THE START, an essential goal of the English Department was to maintain its time-tested commitment to literary analysis, expanded vocabulary, and the essentials of writing while adding the C&L content. In fact, English teachers discussed ways in which they could use classic texts already in the curriculum without sacrificing the conventional topics of theme, symbol, and point of view, including essential questions taken directly from the new C&L curriculum.

The result has been four commen-

‘Twenty years ago, when I first approached teaching literature from a C&L perspective, I began to see the substantive changes in my students. I soon realized that this new focus was not just changing my students but was also changing me personally.’

—DAVID BROWN Director of Character & Leadership Education

—CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP COMMENTARIES

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taries, written and published by the English Department, that approach Macbeth, Oedipus Rex, Death of a Salesman, and The Great Gatsby through a character and leadership filter. The Macbeth commentary focuses on manhood, answering the very question Lady Macbeth asks Macbeth: “Are you a man?”

Death of a Salesman explores a central theme for St. Mark’s students, the father-son relationship, identifying requisite virtues for personal growth. The highest levels of leadership find a voice in the Oedipus Rex commentary, providing questions and suggesting answers for a skill so crucial to Marksmen. Teaching The Great Gatsby Through Character & Leadership offers unforgettable portraits of topics central to English 10 and St. Mark’s Character & Leadership mission: goal setting, the cult of personality, and an awareness of one’s family history.

THE WELL-KNOWN Family History Paper has been a staple of the St. Mark’s English Department for 40 years, acquainting thousands of boys with their origins. But, with the advent of C&L, this research assignment has become more than mere historical facts. English 10 teachers now require students to identify in this project their forebears’ telos (or guiding purpose and ultimate aim), to explore their current selves as part of an unfolding narrative, and then to project into their futures as the boys consider the kinds of adults they want to be: employees, life partners, fathers, and eventual forebears themselves.

The Gatsby commentary reinforces this assignment by studying Jay Gatsby’s misunderstanding of his roots. Because he dismisses his origins without understanding them,

Gatsby sets goals that hurt rather than help him. Students ultimately learn from this commentary and their teachers’ guidance that goal setting is a noble pursuit. But what is not noble is setting goals rooted in the quick fix of self-absorption and achieving them at the expense of others through compromise.

Instead, the most important factors

‘The Character & Leadership program puts you on both sides of the pendulum; you are the one being molded by the advice and influence of Marksmen and leaders, and you also piece together your own advice and anecdotes to pass on to the next generation.’

—GEORGE GENENDER ‘23

are that goals be sustainable and that the boys are determined to achieve them ethically. As the C&L Handbook clarifies, a goal is sustainable if it will endure productively and indefinitely for all who seek it, and achieving that goal constructively means pursuing it virtuously and skillfully.

The discussion topics in these commentaries allow students to grapple

meaningfully with the great works of Western literature, while also grappling with a more critical question: What does it mean to be a good man?

Beginning to find valid answers for English 10 students means translating what they learn into lived experience and doing so in ways one might not see on most secondary campuses. At sporting contests, students cheer for Marksmen, not against their opponents. Boys are eager to serve our community in multiple roles, like Lion & Sword, where students promote the School’s C&L mission to prospective students and their parents. These parents are confident their sons at St. Mark’s will be academically ready for college admissions. We want them to know that their sons will also be leaders of strong character, no longer only being cared for but eager to care for others.

THE SCHOOL’S SHIFT toward a more purposeful implementation of character and leadership and its results have been invigorating and gratifying over the past 20 years.

But St. Mark’s has never been satisfied to rest comfortably on its laurels. It has instead fostered a culture that asks, “What’s next?”

Eight years ago, Goals for St. Mark’s IV provided directives specific to character and leadership. As David Dini said at the time, “The strength of community that we enjoy today did not happen by accident.

It happened because people who cared deeply about your experiences devoted themselves to cultivating an environment where boys could develop into good men.”

The careful attention and planning that these men and women gave to the future of St. Mark’s C&L initiative resulted in a clear path forward as we enter the third

Features

decade of a program that has become a core to our mission. The directives in Goals IV include C&L curriculum and objectives for each grade level, establishing metrics that measure the progress of C&L, and hosting a national symposium on character and leadership.

While School leadership has made progress toward these goals, work remains on the horizon.

To provide full-time attention to this mission, a full-time position was created. When David Brown stepped away from the English classroom last May, he stepped into this new role as the Director of Character & Leadership Education.

His duties include the responsibility to address the Goals IV directives.

The guidebook that has served St. Mark’s for seven years, the C&L Handbook, is being revised to more accurately reflect school-wide outcomes for each division, making it more practical, with a planned refresh by next school year. Likewise, the School website will be updated to accomplish these same goals.

The success of the English 10 commentaries calls for more of them to be written as English teachers explore C&L themes to discuss with their students. Discipline-specific guides in other departments, from science to fine arts, would provide additional resources to bolster C&L objectives.

These efforts would achieve closer alignment between each grade level and division, with teachers and advisors infusing C&L activities into their connections with students.

ONE FINAL EXAMPLE of the work before us is the plan for launching an inaugural St. Mark’s Character & Leadership Conference in June 2026.

The conference will invite teachers and administrators from

—DAVID BROWN Director of Character & Leadership Education

‘The “Path to Manhood” is not a catchphrase; it’s what the School does on a daily basis. When Noah toured campus, even before he was admitted, I could see the intentionality of teachers with their students.’

—SHAY CATHEY Parent of Noah ’24, Luke ’27, and Caleb ’27

around the country to the St. Mark’s campus for several days of workshops and discussions central to understanding the importance of C&L incorporating such a culture into their schools.

In that same Decherd Hall conversation last fall, Robert Decherd ’69 elaborated on his opening remarks: “It’s one thing to say rhetorically, ‘Our school’s all about character and leadership.’ It’s another thing to prove it by how we comport ourselves, how we behave, how we respect each other, how we work together. Those are the most hopeful ideas for this country. And it’s up to all of us, especially the students who will be the next generations, to take it on and apply these same values and operating principles.” As St. Mark’s continues its many manifestations of the “Path to Manhood”—from the Honor Code to McDonald’s Week, from blue-shirt responsibility to civic responsibility—we are making character and leadership more than just a rhetorical cliché. We are raising boys to be good men.

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Spotlight on philanthropy A Marksman’s Family Honors a Senior Buddy Through a Gift to the Zierk Athletic Center

When Kathryn and Jim Francis were considering how they wanted to support St. Mark’s, Jimmy Francis ’24, proposed an idea that everyone loved.

Philanthropy is an incredibly personal journey. The stories and relationships that inspire generosity are as special and far-reaching as the St. Mark’s community itself. When the Francis family was considering how they wanted to support St. Mark’s, Jimmy Francis ’24, proposed an idea that everyone loved.

He suggested making a gift toward the Athletic Complex in honor of his Senior Buddy, John Webb ’14.

“This felt like something for Jimmy to be able to say how much he appreciated John, and how much he wanted to pass that legacy on to the next kid,” Kathryn said. It was a way to “pay it forward,” Jim added.

Jimmy’s appreciation for John isn’t confined to that special year he experienced with his Senior Buddy as a 2nd grader. John has continued to be a role model to Jimmy in many different ways. “I think everyone can say that [John] is a great representation of the values that St. Mark’s holds and what everyone

‘John became an important part of our family because he invested time.

He understood that he was teaching Jimmy so much, and he made Jimmy feel like, ‘You’re my little brother.’’

— KATHRYN FRANCIS

looks for in a Marksman,” Jimmy said. Jimmy hoped John would be his Senior Buddy well before he actually was. Jimmy was developing a love for football and dreamed of becoming a quarterback, and there was John -- not only was he the quarterback of the varsity football team, but he was proving to be an exceptional one.

Kathryn recalled that in first grade, Jimmy wanted to paint a Christmas ornament for John. Kathryn, who didn’t know John, hesitated about the idea.

Would a high school junior respond in the way her adoring 7-year-old son hoped for? Jimmy wouldn’t let his mom dissuade him. They took the ornament down the street to John’s house and left it with one of his brothers.

One night after winter break, John and his teammate Victor Calvillo ’14 stopped by the Francis house to tell Jimmy that the ornament was the best gift he had received that year. He gave Jimmy a signed football and a heartfelt thank-you note that Jimmy tacked to his bulletin board, where it remains to this day.

“So of course, as a mom, you fall in love with this young man,” Kathryn said. “He’s amazing, he’s smart, he’s bright, and my kid in 1st grade says, ‘I want to be John Webb.’ And I think, ‘Wow, we hit the jackpot.’”

When the time came for 2nd graders to learn who their Senior Buddy was, Jimmy was cautiously optimistic. “I felt like it was supposed to happen, but I wasn’t really too sure,” he recalled. Jimmy said it was “the best thing ever” when Ms. Susan Morris announced that he was matched with John.

The Senior Buddy program created a foundation of friendship between

Community

Jimmy and John that was reinforced outside of school. The Marksmen would throw the football together.

Jimmy would go to John’s football and basketball games, and John would stick around long enough for Jimmy to give him a high five or take a picture together. John even hosted Jimmy’s 2nd grade birthday party with some fellow Marksmen — including Mac Labhart ’14, who would become one of Jimmy’s coaches at St. Mark’s years later.

“John just became a really important part of our family because he invested time,” Kathryn said. “He understood that he was teaching Jimmy so much, and he made Jimmy feel like, ‘You’re my little brother.’”

Meanwhile, John, who viewed his three older brothers as role models, said he embraced the opportunity to step into his brothers’ shoes. “I was just hoping that I would be able to have an ounce of that impact on somebody else,” he said, “and Jimmy made it very easy.”

John wore the number 12 on his jersey, a number worn by one of his brothers. Jimmy would go on to wear that same number for football and lacrosse, which John called “an unbelievable honor.”

Even after he graduated, John

continued to support Jimmy. He offered encouragement as Jimmy excelled on the field and shared what Jimmy called “tricks of the trade,” like footwork tips and how to be a better leader in the locker room.

Like John, Jimmy became the quarterback of the Lions varsity team and team captain. And similar to John, who was a football walk-on quarterback at Vanderbilt, Jimmy was a preferred walk-on quarterback at the University of South Carolina.

“You think, ‘Would Jimmy have dreamed that big?’ Would he have thought, ‘I’m going to walk on to a Division I football team?’” Kathryn said. “But he was always following John, and John made him believe that he could do it.”

Jimmy’s parents, not surprisingly, are big fans of the Senior Buddy program. They like how it is interwoven into the School’s culture.

“The Senior Buddy program is so integral to the experience of St. Mark’s,” Jim said. “In a crazy way, it changed the outcome of our child’s

future. It gave him a direction that maybe he would have had, but maybe it would have been different, who knows? But he locked onto it, and it seems to be paying off for him.”

John still reaches out to his younger buddy, who is living the busy life of a college athlete. “Now more than ever, I really rely on him,” Jimmy said.

Jimmy told John about the contribution his family was making in his honor when his Senior Buddy came to St. Mark’s last spring for his 10-year reunion. “It was an out-of-body experience, and I truly can’t describe the emotions that I was filled with,” said John. “It was one of the most humbling things that I’ve been a part of, one of the greatest honors.”

John, who currently works in private wealth management in Nashville, added, “And it’s so special that it’s at a place like St. Mark’s where these relationships were formed and cultivated.”

The good feelings are mutual.

Kathryn said, “To be able to show Jimmy what it feels like to give back and appreciate your education, and do it in a way that honors someone’s everyday blessings and gifts that they’ve shared with our family — you can’t beat it.”

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Leading the pride

Parents, alumni, and friends give back to the School they love.

A grandmother’s devotion continues for decades Rosalind Redfern Grover continues her support of St. Mark’s long after her grandson graduated.

R

COMMITTED. Rosalind Redfern Grover at the Redfern & Grover Resources LLC Midland office.

(Photo courtesy of Eli Hartman, Odessa American)

The people at St. Mark’s are in love with their jobs, and they know what they’re doing.’

— ROSALIND REDFERN GROVER

osalind Redfern Grover’s involvement with St. Mark’s began in 1994 when her grandson, Kapps Killingstad ’06, arrived on campus in 1st grade. But it didn’t end when he graduated.

In fact, more than three decades after attending her first Grandparents’ Day with her late husband Arden, Grover remains committed to St. Mark’s.

“I continue to support St. Mark’s because I believe in education, and I believe in single-sex education,” Rosalind says. “I think it was wonderful what it did for my grandson.

I’m eternally grateful. He had a wonderful education, and you just can’t walk away from that.”

Rosalind remains a generous donor to the St. Mark’s Fund and, with Kapps, made a significant leadership gift to the Zierk Athletic Center project. Her generosity has motivated countless other community members to make their own financial contributions to the School.

“Education stays with you your whole life,” she says.

“That is something that once you get it, you’ve got it forever, and that kind of a gift you ought to be careful with. You ought to be mindful of it, that the school made your son what he is, or grandson, and be mindful and give back to it.”

She appreciates the teachers who deliver that education.

“The people at St. Mark’s are in love with their jobs, and they know what they’re doing,” she says. “They give [the students] a very good education, and they make them independent. They’re so self-reliant when they graduate.”

Meanwhile, although she lives more than 330 miles away in Midland, Texas, Rosalind makes her way back to 10600 Preston Road often to volunteer and offer her guidance. She answered the call to serve on the Board of Trustees’ Development Committee, for example.

Community

I’m always willing to help out in these things because I’ve done a lot of volunteer work, and I know how hard it is to get people to [volunteer]. And I don’t want to spend my life not helping others, not doing something.’

— ROSALIND REDFERN GROVER

As one of the School’s most-involved grandparents of an alumnus, Rosalind also co-hosted the first-ever grandparent stewardship event, Gratitude for Grandparents, in November.

The gathering was designed to thank community members for supporting the School and re-engage current grandparents and grandparents of alumni.

“I’m always willing to help out in these things because I’ve done a lot of volunteer work, and I know how hard it is to get people to [volunteer],” she says. “And I don’t want to spend my life not helping others, not doing something.”

Rosalind, a philanthropist who is a class of 1959 alumna of The Hockaday School, is still impacted by something she read some 60 years ago along the lines of “One should always be mindful of something that pleased them once.”

“St. Mark’s,” she says, “is something that’s pleased me greatly.”

SIDE BY SIDE. (Left) Arden, Kapps ’06, Rosalind Kapps Redfern, and Rosalind. (Above) Rosalind and Kapps after a football game.

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Class notes 1964

1966

1971 CRAIG ANDERSON ’71 was elected to a second term on the Crawford County (Wisconsin) Board of Supervisors and is Vice-Chair of the Crawford County Democratic Party.

Emeritus Trustee and Distinguished Alumnus STEVE WINN ’64 co-founded Cosm, an experiential entertainment venue, whose genesis came from the Winn family involvement in the St. Mark’s Planetarium and digital projection system conversations. Cosm opened two locations in Los Angeles and The Colony’s Grandscape in 2024.

Former St. Mark’s Chaplain and Distinguished Alumnus, REV. BILL CLARKSON ’66 preached at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in April to celebrate the Feast of St. Mark. Pictured, from left to right: ARNOLD SPENCER ’84, J.C. SNEAD ’68, BILL CLARKSON ’66, OLIVER RUBARTH ’25, ANDY RUBARTH ’16, ROB PARKS ’71, and BRAD MOORE ’71.

1969

1965 | Reunion

LEE SMITH ’65 and TIMOTHY O’MEARA ’16 attended the Harvard Yearbook 75th Anniversary event in September 2024.

Distinguished Alumnus and Life Trustee ROBERT DECHERD ’69 returned to St. Mark’s to speak at a special Upper School Assembly to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the H. Ben Decherd Fine Arts Center, named for his father and former Board President.

BRAD MOORE ’71 received the 2024 Outstanding Service Alumni Award from Tulane University. Brad is the Managing Director of the Wind & Water Foundation, a global nonprofit humanitarian organization focusing on providing accessible water, seeding development projects for basic living needs, and energizing the commerce within developing villages around the globe to create selfsustainability. Brad is a Mentor and Engineer-in-Charge for students within the Engineers Without Borders organization.

Community

1972

KEEP IN TOUCH. Class Notes are the best way to share major life milestones with friends, faculty, and the St. Mark’s community. Keep the School and your classmates updated with major life events, like marriages, births, graduations, and career advancements.

1976

Submit your note at

While traveling to Argentina with his family, ROB GLASS ’72 visited with the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina, MARC STANLEY ’75, at his residence, The Bosch Palace, in Buenos Aires.

1975 | Reunion

smtexas.org/ClassNotes.

In the summer of 2024, Former Board President and current Trustee JEFF HILLIER ’76 and his wife Kathryne celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in Canada.

PATRICK JENEVEIN ’76, CEO of Pointe Bello, authored the new book Dancing with the Dragon: Cautionary Tales of the New China from an Old China Hand, released October 1, 2024.

Distinguished Alumnus and Life Trustee ROSS PEROT, JR. ’77 served as the Commencement speaker for the St. Mark’s Class of 2024. This spring, Ross was honored at the Manhattan Institute’s 24th annual Alexander Hamilton Award dinner for representing the best of civic engagement in Dallas and throughout Texas.

1980 | Reunion

1977 JOE JONES ’75 celebrated his 68th birthday alongside fellow classmates JOHN WILLIAMS, BOB ZORN, JEFF ZISK, BRUCE CHARTOVE, DWIGHT FLETCHER, JOHN LUCAS, JAY LUCAS, DARRYL FRELING, and ALAN STERN .

Distinguished Alumnus DR. ALAN STERN ’75 was named the 2024 recipient of Commercial Spaceflight Federations’ James Kuzma Space Community Advocacy Award.

Alan recently joined ispace-US in an advisory role.

Classmates JON GROSS, JEFF GENECOV, TED CROFFORD STUART OLIPHINT, DICK BLAYLOCK, SCOTT WALTON, BRYAN COLLINS, DAVID ROGERS, and DON LINDSLEY gathered over the summer.

DAVID GREENBLATT ’80 was one of 140 runners who completed the Antarctica Marathon on March 11, 2024.

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Class notes

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1984

In October 2024, AL GILBERTSON ’79, PHILIP WOODWARD ’80, and JEFF STAGER ’80 hiked the Ski Valley Mountains in Taos, NM.

1983 Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed GRANT DORFMAN ’83 to be a judge of the Eleventh Business Court Division for a two-year term.

Dorfman previously served as Deputy First Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Texas Attorney General.

TIM ZEE ’84, who resides in Singapore, hosted brothers HARRISON LEE ’19, WINSTON LEE ’23, and ANDERSON LEE ’27 during their recent international travels.

1985 | Reunion SCOTT MCELHANEY ’85 started a new position at the Office of Senate Chief Counsel for Employment serving as Senior Counsel in Washington, D.C.

1988

1990 | Reunion

Members of the Class of 1990, including MARC WINANDY, THOMAS ALLEN, EVAN KIRCHHEIMER, JOSH EINSOHN, SONAK DAULAT, MICHAEL FLANAGAN, DAN FELDMAN, LYNDEN MELMED, and JED MORSE, gathered for a Thanksgiving lunch.

CHRIS GUNNIN ’90, Head of School at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin, was appointed President of the Board of the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS).

1992 COLBY EVANS ’92 was honored at the 2024 Commit to Cure Gala for his contributions to the National Psoriasis Foundation community.

Emeritus Trustee and Distinguished Alumnus CLARK HUNT ’83, Chairman of the Hunt Sports Group, was the recipient of the 2024 H. Neil Mallon Award, honoring his excellence in promoting North Texas’ international profile.

Sharlyn and ROBERT MUSSLEWHITE ’88 married in the British Virgin Islands in 2024. The wedding was officiated by classmate STEWART STEWART and celebrated with classmates ROBERT GARRETT, DOUG FORDYCE, HUGH FAGAN, KEVEN MCALESTER, TED NURRE, CHANCE MILLER, and JOEY NEUHOFF ’89.

After 31 years of service, JOE ZOPOLSKY ’92 had his name added to the firm Glast, Phillips & Murray. The firm is now known as Glast, Phillips, Murray & Zopolsky.

Community

1993

1995 | Reunion

JAKE BUCKNER ’93 started a new role as Vice President at Meriton, a leading HVAC manufacturer.

In 2024, JUSTIN MAPES ’95 joined the Board of Hunger Busters, an organization that helps provide third meals to foodinsecure Dallas ISD students.

2000 | Reunion

1994 Trustee MASON KING ’94 married Heather Lynn Worley on June 13, 2024.

Tara and MOOD ROWGHANI ’95 welcomed Mehdi and Talia into their family November 3, 2024.

1996 Shonda and JACK PRATT ’94 welcomed Maya Grace into their family on March 20, 2024.

DOUGLAS SIMMONS ’94 relived his experiences as a St. Mark’s chorister on a visit to Westminster Abbey in London with his daughters.

WILL FORTEITH ’96 started a new position as Dean of Students for Alcuin School.

Trustee CHRIS LEE ’96 received the Sponsors for Educational Opportunity Alumni Leadership Award in 2024. Chris was also the keynote speaker at this year’s Emory Goizueta Real Estate Conference. He is a partner and Co-President of KKR Real Estate.

CHRIS SAHLIYEH ’00 married Cari Osborne on October 5, 2024, in Verona, Italy. The wedding was officiated by classmate MARK RUFF. Other Marksmen in attendance included classmate KALEN THORNTON, and GORDON HUDDLESTON ’01 and CLAYTON MOORE ’01.

KALEN THORNTON ’00 joined Pizza Hut as Global Chief Brand Officer in 2024.

2001 ANDY BETTE ’01 has a new position as Principal Project Manager, DynamoDB at Amazon Web Services.

The 23rd “ReMarker Campout” visited the Iowa State Fair.

Included were classmates HITEN PARMAR, SCOTT SELINGER, NICK ORENSTEIN, BRIAN BENEKE, ANDY BETTE, MATT BRADFORD, and DAN MICHALSKI ’90.

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Class notes

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2003 On November 18, 2024, Lauren and ROSS CROMARTIE ’03 welcomed Harper Jean Cromartie into their family.

NED PRICE ’01 hosted the St. Mark’s Quiz Bowl team in Washington, D.C. for the National Quiz Bowl Championship. The group toured the Harry S. Truman Federal Building, where Ned served as Deputy to the U.S. Representative to the United Nations.

2002 MICHAEL MARTIN ’02 is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Sidekick, an AI tool tailored for real estate agents and brokerages. Sidekick received the 2024 Inman Innovators Award for Most Innovative Use of AI.

Sarah and MIKE NORMAN ’02 welcomed their fourth son, Owen Christopher Norman, into their family on May 25, 2024. The Norman family resides in Reston, VA, where Mike is a Staff Engineer at Northrop Grumman working on a spectrum of space-related projects.

Thuy Nguyen and NOLAN SHUTLER ’02 welcomed Mildred “Mimi” Minh Nguyen, on February 1, 2024. The family resides in the Bay Area.

COLLEN MEYER ’03 and Whitney Meyer welcomed their daughter, Mollie Claire Meyer, on July 27, 2023.

On May 9, 2024, St. Mark’s parent and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson introduced the city’s new professional women’s soccer team, Dallas Trinity FC, at Klyde Warren Park. The team is led by CEO Jim Neil, COO TRIP NEIL ’03, and President CHARLIE NEIL ’08. Alumni in attendance included TONY RUGGERI ’00, TRIP NEIL ’03, CHARLIE NEIL ’08, ANDREW SUTTON ’03, ALEX ESHELBRENNER ’04, and NICK MALVEZZI ’18.

Community

2004

Aubrey and WALKER FULTS ’04 added a son to their family on September 29, 2023. Preston Robert Fults joins brother Rhett and sister Adrienne. The Fults family lives in the Dallas area where Walker works as a criminal defense attorney.

In November 2024, STEVEN LOLOI ’04 and his family launched Joon Loloi, an interior furnishings company.

BRANNIN MCBEE ’04 is Co-Founder and CDO of CoreWeave, named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential companies of 2024.

2005 | Reunion

On November 3, 2024, cancer survivor NICK MONIER ’04 completed the New York City Marathon, raising funds for the Ulman Foundation, a charity dedicated to creating a community of support for young adults and their loved ones impacted by cancer.

Stephanie and JORDAN WALLACE-WOLF ’04 welcomed Willamina Delta Wallace-Wolf on February 23, 2024. The Wallace-Wolf family resides in Little Rock, where Jordan is an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Arkansas.

On April 3, 2024, Jen and DAMON WRIGHT ’04 welcomed their first child, Preston Knox Wright. Damon serves on the Alumni Board as Chair of the St. Mark’s Regional Club in New York City.

Hillary and SHEPHERD ROBINSON ’05 and big sister Ruby Alice welcomed Stella Rey Robinson into their family on May 29, 2024. The Robinson family resides in Austin, where Shepherd is Senior Director of Strategic Finance & Corporate Development at Flash.

2006

KAPPS KILLINGSTAD ’06 and wife Mallory welcomed daughter Ava Baron Killingstad to the world on March 23, 2024.

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Class notes

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In March of 2024, REED RUSCHHAUPT ’06 launched an Austin-based pickleball apparel brand, Dumb Love. In addition to serving as CEO of the performance apparel line, Reed continues to serve as Principal at Blue Box.

2008

2007 Hannah and ARTHUR BROUSSEAU ’08 welcomed Bridget Ann Brousseau on May 26, 2024.

ALEX KATZ ’08 married April Gregory on May 26, 2024.

Alex is Founder and CEO of Two Chairs, a mental health system that pairs therapists and patients. Two Chairs was named to Fortune’s 2024 Best Workplaces in the Bay Area.

HAMILTON WISE ’08 started a position as Senior Director, International Scouting & Development at Texas Rangers Baseball Club.

2009

Sophia and DASH CROWLEY ’07 and big sister Lily welcomed Peter Arthur Crowley on July 24, 2024.

ZACH HOCHSTER ’07 recently moved to Dallas to assume a leadership role at his family’s business, Westmoor Manufacturing.

LUKE KLINE ’07 started a new position as Development Partner at JLB Partners. Luke serves on the Alumni Board as Chair of the St. Mark’s Regional Club in Austin.

Markie Martin and CHRIS MCCLAIN ’07 welcomed Parsons Grey McClain into their family on May 11, 2024.

Lauren and MARK BUTLER ’08 added a daughter to their family on September 12, 2024. Margot Hill Butler joins her big brother, Mark III. Mark serves on the Alumni Board as Co-Chair of the St. Mark’s Fund.

AVI CHAVDA ’08 was recently selected as a 2024 Dallas Business Journal’s 40 under 40 honoree.

He practices medicine at Virtuoso Spine & Joint as an interventional spine and pain management specialist.

NICK DYSLIN ’08 has a new position as Director, Commercial Analytics at Atlantic Aviation.

ALEX BROWN ’09 married Grace Singleton at the Historic Barns of Nipmoose in upstate New York. Alex and Grace were joined by classmates and best men CONNER PATE and NATHAN LONG, as well as classmates SHARAN SHETTY, ABHIRAM GUNTURI, WILL FERENC, and STEWART MCDONALD ’10. The couple resides in New York City where Alex is a partner at the energy investment firm Keyframe Capital.

Community

BILLY EICHENHOLZ ’09 and his wife Jeanne welcomed their daughter Eloise on May 12, 2023.

The family lives in San Francisco.

DARRIEN PATTERSON ’09 married Daniela Huber on April 20, 2024, in Raleigh, NC with classmates WHIT SHAW (best man), JARRETT GRECO (groomsman), JUSTIN UTAY (groomsman), RYAN CONSTANTINE (groomsman), AUSTIN HAM, STEPHEN FRIEDBERG, DREW NICHOLAS, KIRK HAYES, MARK KANE, BEAU FALGOUT, DARREN ABBAS, and JARROD SPARKS in attendance.

Milena and DAVID CHRISTOFF ’10 married on May 18, 2024, at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas. David is Vice President of Football Research & Development for the Las Vegas Raiders.

2010 | Reunion Breanna and ADAM GENECOV ’09 welcomed Miles Lee Stein Genecov into their family on May 9, 2024.

The family resides in Redwood City, CA, where Adam works as a Mechanical Design Engineer.

ALEX KWON ’09 and his wife May Maung recently relocated to Dallas where Alex serves as Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Investments for Crow Holdings.

WILLIAM HICKS ’10 and his wife Paige welcomed their daughter Campbell Cree Hicks on May 7, 2024.

On July 26, 2024, Emily and FRED ADDY ’10 welcomed their first child, Arden Lydia Addy.

LYLE MCDONALD ’10 and wife Alexandria welcomed their fifth daughter, Dorothy Ann McDonald, on April 19, 2024.

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Class notes

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Kelly and DANIEL RAFKIN ’10 welcomed Pierce Hart Rafkin on June 9, 2024. The Rafkin family resides in New York City where Daniel is Senior Director at Hines, a global real estate investment management company.

Dorothy and JORDAN DYSLIN ’11 welcomed Charlotte Elise Dyslin on October 10, 2024.

Jordan is a Director at Devonshire Investors and serves on the Alumni Board as Chair of the St. Mark’s Regional Club in Boston.

Mattie and PATRICK MCGEE ’11 welcomed Edward Lars McGee on March 25, 2024. The McGee family resides in Dallas where Patrick is a Senior Associate at MPK Equity Partners.

WILL JOHNSON ’11 and his wife Kristina welcomed Henry Swisher Johnson into their family on August 11, 2023. The Johnson family resides in Norfolk, VA where Will serves as a Naval Special Warfare Officer.

WILL MCNAMARA ’11 married Caitlin Conner in Rosemary Beach, Florida on November 16, 2024. P.J. TAYLOR ’11 and JOE MALLICK ’11 were groomsmen.

SLOAN RUDBERG ’10 started a new job as Head of Strategic Initiatives at Hyatt.

2011

On September 25, 2024, Sophie and BEN CHESNUT ’11 welcomed their second son, Jack Oliver Chesnut, joining his big brother Luke.

JOE LOFTUS ’11 and wife Paige welcomed their first child, Steven Richard Loftus, on December 9, 2024.

Community

SCOTT POPPLEWELL ‘11 and Kathryn Shinn welcomed Charles Gregory Popplewell in October 2024, joining big sister Isla Olivia Popplewell.

Kelsey and JOHN WETZEL ’11 welcomed daughter Annie English Wetzel to their family in October 2023. The family resides in New York City where John works as a Product Manager at ChartHop.

Maggie and CAMERON HILLIER ’13, current faculty member, welcomed Philip Foster Hillier into their family on February 20, 2025. Philip is the Nephew of Kate and TRAVIS HILLIER ’09, and grandson of Kathryne and JEFF HILLIER ’76.

JAKE WINDLINGER ’11 married Amanda Banquero on January 13, 2024.

2013 Led by Chief Business Officer CONNOR THEILMANN ’11, ServiceTitan, a provider of cloud software to contractors, completed their public offering and started trading under the Nasdaq in December of 2024.

INVERSA CEO AARAV CHAVDA ’13 participated in the World Bank’s Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. to discuss investing in sustainable blue marketplaces.

Ali and DANNY KOUDELKA ’13 and older brother Bo welcomed Beverly Aline Koudelka into their family on June 6, 2024.

TRE WALTON ’13 was named as an Assistant Coach for the Union University Men’s Basketball program in Jackson, TN.

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Class notes

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2014

On August 14, 2024, Kaitlin and MATTHEW BROWN ’14 welcomed their first daughter, Dailyn Brown.

RICHARD EISEMAN ’14 married Ally Langston on October 19, 2024. Classmate BEN WILSON was the best man and classmates JOHN GARNSEY, HARRISON PERKINS, and CLAYTON ROBERTS served as groomsmen.

RILEY GRAHAM ’14 and his wife Katharine welcomed their first son, James Maheras Graham.

JACK CROW ’14 married Mackenzie Haddock on November 16, 2024, at his childhood home in Dallas. Marksmen classmates in attendance were DEAN ADDY, TOMMY ADDY, CHARLIE GOLDEN, RILEY GRAHAM, KELLAM HALL, CHRISTOPHER MARLOW, DANNY MCNAMARA, MICHAEL MURPHY, DAVID PLUMLEE, and BLAKE ROBINS. Jack is the Founder of Shoal Creek Capital, an industrial real estate development company based in Dallas.

JOSH PERKINS ’14 married Brittney Effner in Fort Worth on November 23, 2024. Classmates JACK MALLICK and BEN WILSON were groomsmen. Josh is the son of JIM PERKINS ’57.

LUKE WILLIAMS ’14 recently completed his Ph.D. in Modern Thought & Literature at Stanford University and started a new position as an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas in the Department of Theatre and Dance.

2015 | Reunion SAM DANIELS ’15 is the Director of Philanthropy for Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support.

ZACH PAPIN ’14 married Natalie Smith in Newport News, Virginia on April 20, 2024. His brother, JIMMY PAPIN ’13, was the best man and KELLAM HALL ’14 was a groomsman.

BRODY LADD ’15 married Talia Marcus on August 25, 2024, in Arlington, Virginia. Marksman BRENT WEISBERG ’16 was in attendance.

Community

2016

WYATT MARTIN ’15 married Riley Shivitz on June 1, 2024, in Austin. Several Marksmen classmates including LANDON MONTGOMERY, JACK FOJTASEK, WESTON BLAIR, MATTHEW MEADOWS, ANDREW PATTISON, SAM DOCKERY, TOMMY GUDMUNDSSON, and MICHAEL FLETCHER were in attendance. The Martins now reside in New York City.

MATTHEW MEADOWS ’15 married Caroline Symcox on October 12, 2024, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Classmate JACK O’NEILL officiated and classmates WESTON BLAIR, CYRUS GANJI, PRESTON HEXT, and LANDON MONTGOMERY served as groomsmen. Matthew is the Commercial Manager for North America at E2 Communications.

ROHAN PINTO ’15 started a new position as Principal Technical-Functional Consultant/Developer at Oracle NetSuite.

Ellie and ELTON MCINTOSH ’15 welcomed Barton Keller McIntosh into their family on November 15, 2024. The McIntosh family lives in Boston where Elton is working on his MBA at Harvard Business School.

DREW BAXLEY ’16 graduated from UT Southwestern on May 8, 2024. A few days later, he married Anna Joy Kuehn on May 11, 2024, at the Rose Garden in Tyler, Texas surrounded by friends and family including CAMERON BAXLEY ’14, ZAK HOUILLION ’16, KEATS LEFFEL ’23 and BRANNON ROUSE ’16. Drew and Anna Joy moved to Waco in June 2024 for him to begin his family medicine residency with Waco Family Medicine.

KENT BROOM ’16 married Shelby Hansen in Johnson City, TX on June 1, 2024. His brother, BLAKE BROOM ’21 was best man, and uncles JOHN BROOM ’79 and ANDREW BROOM ’90 were also in attendance. Kent is the son of TOPHER BROOM ’87 and TERI BROOM, the Ackerman Family Master Teaching Chair in Lower School at St. Mark’s.

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Class notes

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2018

In July 2024, MATT POWER ’18 graduated from Ranger School, one of the toughest training courses that a Soldier can volunteer for. Matt is currently stationed in Germany.

2019 GRAHAM GILLESPIE ’16 and Brittany Rea married on April 27, 2024, in Dallas. The wedding was attended by Marksmen classmates WILL DIAMOND, HARRISON KAMPF, JOHN LANDRY, DAN MCCLAIN, ROBY MIZE, and CHARLIE O’BRIEN. The couple resides in Dallas where Graham is a Senior Associate for the Sterling Group.

PHILIP SMART ’16 is now the CEO & Co-Founder at Parley, a company that helps immigration firms automate visa applications with AI.

Cara and DANIEL GARCIA ’18 welcomed Jesse Creed Garcia on March 16, 2024. Jesse joins big brother Conner at their home in Savannah, Georgia, where Daniel continues his service with the 75th Ranger Regiment.

ZACH LANDRY ’18 started a new role as Player Development Associate with the Boston Red Sox.

2017 ANDREW WHIGHAM ’17 was the recipient of the annual Maseeh Entrepreneurship Prize Competition (MPEC) at USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s premier business model competition. Andrew was recognized for his work with DiabeTECH, stylish, hightech footwear that monitors diabetic patients’ feet and shares important data with their podiatrists.

LANDON WOOD ’19 was the recipient of the Core Value Award at Elk Range Royalties where he works as a Software Engineer.

2020 | Reunion KASEN ROBERSON ’20 graduated cum laude and received the Dean’s Merit Award from Loyola University New Orleans College of Business.

SAHITYA SENAPATHY ’20 launched his startup, Endeavor AI, in January 2024 and was featured in Business Insider.

2021

CLAY MORRIS ’18 married Natalie Culbertson on September 14, 2024, in Oklahoma City. Marksmen celebrating included Clay’s father JACK MORRIS, JR. ’77, brother WILL MORRIS ’12, groomsman MATTHEW FORNARO ’18, and many others.

TREVOR GICHERU ’21 created and is scaling Nurovant AI, an app designed to convert lectures and expansive content into more manageable summaries so that students can focus on key themes.

Community

HARRISON INGRAM ’21 was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the 48th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Harrison made his NBA debut on November 6, 2024, against the Houston Rockets.

2022 ENOCH ELLIS ’22 was elected the 56th student body President at MIT. Enoch also co-authored a study published in the July 2024 journal Cell Reports Physical Science identifying a method for producing hydrogen fuel using aluminum, seawater, and caffeine.

TATE LACZKOWSKI ’22 (left center) connected with brother ANDREW LACZKOWSKI ’20, GEORGE GENENDER ’23, brother LUKE LACZKOWSKI ’25, and PAUL GENENDER ’87 following Army’s basketball game against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Tate scored 3 points in the outing.

Free Safety ZACH STONE ’22 and the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays tied the school record for wins in a football season as the team posted a 12-1 record, claiming the program’s 16th Centennial Conference title and advancing to the NCAA Division III Semifinals.

AADI KHASGIWALA ’23 completed the National Security Language Initiative for Youth after a nine-month immersion academic program for Chinese in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Aadi continues his studies at The University of Chicago.

2023

JACK GORDY ’23 (Naval Academy) and JAKE PARK ’23 (Air Force Academy) connected at the Navy vs. Air Force football game on October 5, 2024.

AKASH RAGHUNATHAN ’23 attended the first Inclusion and Diversity Leadership Council (IDLC) meeting of the year at St. Mark’s. As a former member of IDLC, Akash worked alongside LORRE ALLEN, Director of Inclusion, Diversity, and Human Resources, to bring Marksmen Multicultural Night to life.

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Class notes

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RAJA MEHENDALE ’24 competed for Washington & Lee in the 2024 NCAA DIII Cross Country National Championships.

Journalism Program Director JENNY CREECH completed a Master’s Degree in Ethics in Society from Columbia University.

This fall, SAL HUSSAIN ’23 connected with HARRISON INGRAM ’21 at a University of Texas football game.

2024

In September 2024, MITCHELL GALARDI ’24 completed the intensive Beast Barracks Training at West Point.

BAKER LONG ’24, MITCHELL GALARDI ’24, ZACK GOFORTH ’24, TATE LACZKOWSKI ’22, BENJAMIN ERWIN ’24, and GRAYSON REDMOND ’24 attended the Army vs. Navy football game on December 14, 2024.

ETHAN SINGLETON ’24, broke a 24-year-old school record at Wesleyan University (CT) in the 400m as he won the UMass Boston Beacon Season Opener on December 8, 2024 with a time of 49.44. Just the day before, at the Wesleyan Indoor Invitational, Ethan had won the 60m dash.

Faculty Notes Faculty members LORRE ALLEN, DR. KATHERINE ANSON, JORGE CORREA, LAUREN LOGAN, and KENDALL MURPHY delivered presentations at the 2024 International Boys’ Schools Coalition’s Annual Conference in London.

Senior Associate Director of Admission & Financial Aid ANNA CROUCH and Director of Development TIM CROUCH, welcomed Molly Ruth Crouch, December 16, 2024. Molly joins big brothers George and Henry.

Community

On May 9, 2024, Coach

Faculty member VALERIE DAVIS completed the Chicago Marathon on October 8, 2024.

This was her first time to compete in Chicago and her 17th marathon. Valerie is a Middle School math teacher.

Eugene McDermott Headmaster DAVID DINI and his wife Nancy welcomed their second grandson, August Michael Fish, on March 12, 2024. August joins older brother James along with mother, Megan Dini Fish, and her husband, Elliott. David was recently named Board President of the International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC), a professional association that includes nearly 300 member schools from around the globe.

SCOTT HUNT, Interim Fine Arts Department Chair, and JERUSHA WESTBURY, History and Social Science teacher, were recognized as 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program’s Distinguished Teachers, two of only 161 educators nationwide.

Humanities teacher and tennis coach BRADD LODGE placed 1st in the 5.0 division of the Brightpath Foundations Squash Open.

Ahlberg & Ribman Family Director of Alumni Relations JACK MALLICK ’14, Director of the St. Mark’s Fund KATELYN MUÑOZ, and Senior Director of Alumni Engagement ALEX ESHELBRENNER ’04, delivered a presentation at the 2025 CASE-NAIS Independent Schools Conference in Washington, D.C.

Spanish teacher and Assistant Director of Community Service ISABEL CISNEROS was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for completing more than 2,500 hours of service to the nation.

On May 9, 2024, Coach

ALEX HUGHES graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with her Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Visual Experience. Alex is the Assistant Director of Communications.

DWIGHT PHILLIPS welcomed granddaughter Sevynn Denise Phillips.

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In memoriam Alumni WARREN M. ATTWOOD ’77 September 4, 2024 DR. GABRIEL C. BALTAZAR ’05 August 7, 2024 ALFRED F. BLAIR, JR. ’51 July 28, 2024 DONALD R. BLOOM ’83 October 30, 2024 DAVID ‘VANCE’ S. CAMPBELL ’58 April 23, 2024 RICHARD A. DATHE, JR. ’58 December 12, 2024 ANDREW R. FOLMER ’75 May 29, 2024 WALTER L. FOXWORTH II ’53 August 2, 2024 Son of the late Jack L. Foxworth ’26, father of Jack L. Foxworth II ’76, grandfather of Walter L. Foxworth III ’06, brother of former faculty member Warren H. Foxworth ’66, and the late John P. Foxworth ’58 WILLIAM V. FURBISH ’53 February 19, 2024 THOMAS C. HOWARD III ’66 January 4, 2025 Brother of Todd C. Howard ’87, uncle of Thomas “Boyd” Howard ’17 JOHN H. JACKSON ’66 December 8, 2024 Brother of the late F. B. Jackson III ’59, cousin of James G. Hazlewood ’57 EDWIN B. JORDAN, JR. ’60 September 28, 2024 Brother of Philip L. Jordan ’64 and Christopher G. Jordan ’70, uncle of Christopher G. Jordan, Jr. ’06

FREDERICK E. ROWE, JR. ’64 October 25, 2024 ALLEN T. ROZELLE ’62 May 21, 2024 Brother of Irby M. Rozelle ’64 and former faculty member Robert V. Rozelle ’66 W. A. H. SCHILLING ’54 July 29, 2024 Former faculty member KENNETH C. WRIGHT ’59 August 4, 2024

THOMAS J. CARRON August 1, 2024 Father of faculty member Fletcher H. Carron, grandfather of Fletcher M. Carron ’32 RUTH G. COHEN July 5, 2024 Mother of Emeritus Trustee Helene C. Rudberg, grandmother of Sloan B. Rudberg ’10

Community

GERALD C. CONLEY August 29, 2024 Father of Matthew O. Conley ’15

JOHN P. AMEER July 2024 Former faculty member

JOHN A. CRISS, SR. October 24, 2024 Father of John A. Criss, Jr. ’08 and Jordan A. Criss ’10

NEIL ANDERSON October 20, 2024 Father of Michael D. Anderson ’93 and William L. Anderson ’95 MARILYN ARBEGAST March 31, 2024 Grandmother of David H. Engleman ’18 and Jackson J. White ’32 DR. NEIL ARBEGAST October 24, 2024 Grandfather of David H. Engleman ’18 and Jackson J. White ’32 GLENN A. BALLARD February 3, 2025 Father of Glenn A. Ballard, Jr. ’74 KAREN BEDELL January 21, 2024 Wife of George R. Bedell ’64 LISA BETROS April 20, 2024 Member of the St. Mark’s Harlequin Players

BARRON U. KIDD ’54 January 2, 2025 Emeritus Trustee, father of Barron D. Kidd ’85

SELMA K. BOOKATZ September 1, 2024 Mother of Dr. Bart N. Bookatz ’66

CHARLES G. MCBURNEY, JR. ’59 October 2024

JOHN C. BROAD August 29, 2024 Grandfather of Jack C. Bourne ’28

CLINTON W. MURCHISON III ’65 July 2, 2024 Emeritus Trustee, brother of Burk C. Murchison ’67 and Robert F. Murchison ’72, son of Emeritus Trustee the late Clinton W. Murchison, Jr., father of Class of ’96 former student George E. Murchison, uncle of David L. Murchison ’94

MICHAEL J. CADDELL August 20, 2024 Husband of former faculty member Delila Caddell

BETH BROMBERG December 9, 2024 Wife of John E. Bromberg ’64 and mother of former student Campbell W. Bromberg ‘99

JANE DAVIS March 15, 2024 Grandmother of Parker R. Davis ’19 and John H. Davis ’21 JUDITH S. DENTON October 15, 2024 Former faculty member DR. ROHIT DESAI March 20, 2024 Grandfather of Armaan S. Desai ’33 MARGERY H. DONOVAN August 15, 2024 Former faculty member and wife of John B. Donovan, former faculty member and Director of Operations.

JANE V. DOOLEY January 25, 2025 Grandmother of Alexander J. Nelson ’24 and Beckett C. Nelson ’26 DR. MARK FELDMAN March 5, 2024 Father of Daniel Feldman ’90 and Dr. Matthew F. Feldman ’01, grandfather of Jordan N. Feldman ’24 CURTIS N. FLOYD February 3, 2025 Grandfather of Henry D. Estes ’25 ANN J. FOLZ November 19, 2024 Mother of Alan L. Folz, Jr. ’73 MARTIN A. GOLMAN June 29, 2024 Father-in-law of Craig S. Unterberg ’91

Community

ELEANOR B. GRAFE January 9, 2025 Mother of David B. Grafe ’83, great-aunt of Reagan C. Brower ’25 DR. ARTI GUPTA October 11, 2024 Mother of Ishan Gupta ’20 DR. MONA HERSH-COCHRAN, PH.D. September 6, 2024 Mother of former Board President and Distinguished Alumnus, Kenneth A. Hersh ’81, grandmother of Daniel J. Hersh ’13 ERIC HOLTBERG August 31, 2024 Brother of former Eugene McDermott Headmaster Arnold E. Holtberg, uncle of Michael K. Holtberg ’04 RAMSEY E. JABBOUR June 29, 2024 Father of Eugene R. Jabbour ’96, grandfather of Preston N. Ghafar ’24 DR. TANIA A. W. JACKSON September 24, 2024 Mother of Grant Jackson ’22 RICHARD C. JOHNSON March 1, 2024 Father of Christian F. Johnson ’92 JOHN W. JORDAN March 24, 2024 Brother of former faculty member Frank H. Jordan III LISA A. KAUFMAN January 27, 2025 Spouse of Harold Kaufman ’83 DELIA KIEHN September 8, 2024 Mother of Sebastian A. Kiehn ’24 and Nicholas H. Kiehn ’27 GAIL G. KING July 22, 2024 Mother-in-law of Jed Morse ’90, Grandmother of Samuel K. Morse ’27 ANN D. KRAUS May 6, 2024 Emeritus Trustee, Mother of Thomas G. Kraus ’76, Peter A.Kraus ’78, and Stephen A. Kraus ’86 DR. J. ROSS MACDONALD March 30, 2024 Emeritus Trustee, father of James R. Macdonald ’71 and Taylor Macdonald ’73 CHALMER N. MADDOX May 27, 2024 Father of Caleb N. Maddox ’24

JOY S. MANKOFF June 1, 2024 Mother of Jeffrey W. Mankoff ’79 and Douglas F. Mankoff ’81, grandmother of Bradley S. Mankoff ’14 KENNETH MAY November 27, 2024 Father of faculty member Shane May JOAN MERRIMAN June 29, 2024 Mother of John C. Merriman ’70 DR. NEIL R. MORROW February 2, 2025 Father of Cory L. Morrow ’87, grandfather of William L. Morrow ’25 JANICE MURRAY November 27, 2024 Former faculty member JOSEPH O. NEUHOFF, JR. March 8, 2024 Father of Joseph O. Neuhoff III ’89, grandfather of Joseph O. Neuhoff IV ’28 and Jack S. Neuhoff ’31 JOY L. OSBORNE January 31, 2025 Mother of Matthew L. Osborne ’90 and Jonathan E. Osborne ’93 PAUL PECHERSKY June 5, 2024 Grandfather of Will Pechersky ’22 and father-in-law of faculty member Julie Pechersky UGO PICCAGLI March 31, 2024 Father of Lawrence Piccagli ’85, Massimo Piccagli ’82, and the late Paul Piccagli ’80, grandfather of Paul S. Piccagli ’12, Henry J. Piccagli ’22, and Alessandro J. Piccagli ’20 OLIVIA POPPLEWELL September 26, 2024 Mother of John T. Popplewell ’07 and Scott D. Popplewell ’11 DR. BONNIE W. RAWOT April 18, 2024 Mother of Adam S. Rawot ’13 and Eric M. Rawot ’15 SANFORD R. ROBERTSON August 3, 2024 Stepfather of David M. Marcus ’98 and grandfather of Matthew R. Marcus ’32 DR. RALPH ROBINOWITZ April 7, 2024 Father of the late Howard Z. Robinowitz ’80, Donald E. Robinowitz ’82, and Kevin P. Robinowitz ’91, grandfather of Jacob M. Robinowitz ’22

REV. DR. WAYNE A. ROBINSON May 29, 2024 Grandfather of Ford A. Robinson ’27 MARTHA C. ROBUCK May 26, 2024 Wife of Gregory M. Robuck ’73 MELANIE KUSIN ROWE February 18, 2024 Sister of Emeritus Trustee Gary M. Kusin, aunt of Trustee Eric K. Kusin ’00 and Benjamim B. Kusin ’97 CRYSTAL L. SANTANA October 16, 2024 Aunt of Cruz C. Santana ’28 DAVID H. SWISHER August 26, 2024 Grandfather of Gavin Trevino ’26 BONITA K. TRANCHINA August 18, 2024 Mother-in-law of faculty member Mark F. Adame CATHARINE F. WALKER March 19, 2024 Mother of Thomas S. Walker II ’71 DR. F. TIMOTHY WALSH September 27, 2024 Former faculty member PATRICIA AND WILLIAM WEBER June 5, 2024 Grandparents of Blake W. Molthan ’22 DR. AGNES V. WHITLEY April 7, 2024 Mother of John Truett Whitley, Jr. ‘83 and Mark Edward Whitley ‘88; motherin-law of David A. Wood ‘82; and grandmother of Richard Gray Wood ‘17 and John Landon Wood ‘19 RHEA WOLFRAM January 16, 2025 Mother of Michael L. Wolfram ’63, Steven L. Wolfram ’67, and Richard H. Wolfram ’70 ROBERT H. YOUNG April 17, 2024 Father of Stephen R. Young ’70 JIANYE ZHANG October 2024 Grandfather of Nathaniel Shou ’31

Submissions not included in this edition will appear in the next issue of The Pride.

78 THE PRIDE MAGAZINE | SPR I N G 202 5

Endnotes Online giving

The St. Mark’s Fund is the School’s most important, ongoing fundraising priority, providing more than 11 percent of the annual operating budget. You may give online through our secure server at: www.smtexas.org/smfund. Every gift makes a difference.

Archives

From the Terrill School all the way to St. Mark’s School of Texas, ours is a school with a long and rich history. If you have school memorabilia that you would like to share with St. Mark’s to be preserved in our school archives, contact the Office of Development & Alumni Relations, 214-346-8800.

THE Provided to the alumni and greater School community of St. Mark’s School of Texas

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Scott Moore

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Dave Carden

Submissions

Do you have a great story you’d like to share with your fellow alumni? 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 not included in this edition will appear in the next issue of The Pride. Submissions may be made in any of three ways: • Send digitally using our online form. smtexas.org/classnotes All information, including high-resolution photos, is welcome.

• Email your submission to mallickj@smtexas.org • Mail to St. Mark’s School of Texas, Attn: Jack Mallick, 10600 Preston Rd., Dallas, TX 75230

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Alex Hughes

ST. MARK’S FUND AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Lindsey O’Neill

ASSISTANT HEADMASTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Scott Jolly

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Tim Crouch

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

Alex Eshelbrenner ’04

The Pride is published twice annually by the Office of Development & Alumni Relations, and is distributed to alumni, parents, and friends of the School.

In producing this magazine, every effort has been made to ensure accuracy.

Please report any errors or receipt of multiple copies to the Office of Development & Alumni Relations. 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 ethnic origin.

St. Mark’s School of Texas

10600 Preston Rd., Dallas, TX 75230-4047 • 214-346-8800

AHLBERG & RIBMAN FAMILY DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Jack Mallick ’14

LEAVE YOUR MARK

Helen & Ryan Bowles ’90 For many families, graduation is a time to reflect on what St. Mark’s has meant to them. For Helen and Ryan Bowles ’90, parents of Gavin ’25 and Xander ’22, their youngest son’s upcoming graduation sparked a meaningful conversation.

“It was a great opportunity, as our family is wrapping up our time at St. Mark’s, for us to talk about the impact the School has made on us as a family and the opportunity we have to impact future families’ experiences decades from now, even centuries from now,” Ryan said. He and Helen chose to join the Terrill Society by including St. Mark’s in their estate plans.

The Menter B. Terrill Society was established in 1998 to recognize and thank alumni, parents, faculty, and friends who have included St. Mark’s in their long-term estate planning. Today, more than 120 member families help ensure that future generations of students will benefit from the opportunities the School provides.

In recognition of the growth and impact of the Terrill Society, the Alumni Board appointed Ryan as its inaugural Terrill Society Chair to help educate community members about long-range philanthropic planning.

In this capacity, Ryan aims to help fellow community members avoid common misperceptions about legacy giving, introducing multiple

options for people to consider.

Supporters can create legacy gifts through a traditional will, charitable trust, or deferred charitable gift annuity, but donors can also simply name St. Mark’s as a full or partial beneficiary of a retirement account like an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b). If inclined, St. Mark’s can be designated as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, or checking, savings, or brokerage account.

Another mistaken belief is that a contribution must be monumental to be significant. “Before learning about the Terrill Society, I was always under the preconception that a planned gift, just by its nature, had lots of zeros after it, and it just doesn’t have to,” Ryan said. “The dollar amount can be much more modest if the donor wants it to be and planned gift amounts vary greatly. The significance of the gift is the meaning behind it and the opportunity to lock arms with other community members committed to the long-term future of the School and its mission.”

Legacy giving exists in harmony with the St. Mark’s tradition of paying it forward, and Ryan

THROWBACK. The Bowles family when their sons were young Marksmen.

credits St. Mark’s with intentionally helping Marksmen understand “the power and the responsibility” of giving back to their communities.

“The School is doing an incredible job of instilling philanthropy into Marksmen,” he said. “To see the boys grasp that selflessness is great.

We should be proud that we’re sending guys out into the world with that mindset. The Terrill Society is an extension of how our actions will echo for years to come.”

To learn more or join the Terrill Society, please visit smtexas.org/plannedgiving, or contact Tim Crouch in the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at 214.346.8809 or croucht@smtexas.org.

10600 Preston Rd. Dallas, TX 75230-4047 214-346-8800 • www.smtexas.org

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ST. MARK’S SCHOOL OF TEXAS

St. Mark’s School of Texas

During the fourth annual Marksmen Multicultural Night, students walk in procession carrying flags representing the numerous cultures within the St. Mark’s community.

The student-organized event brings together students, faculty, staff, and parents, and incorporates performances, cuisine, and activities that embody various histories and traditions.

The Athletic Complex Opens

THE PRIDE | Spring 2025 | Vol. 30, No. 1