SPA Magazine Spring 2011

The Magazine of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

SPA SPRING 2011

Theory and Practice: The Visual Arts at SPA

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Letter from the Head On the cover Theory and Practice: The Visual Arts at SPA For the last four decades, visual art has occupied as important a place in the school’s curriculum as it does on the walls.

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Read All About It: The Rubicon The Rubicon, the student newspaper that has given generations of SPA students the chance to cut their teeth in journalism, has evolved into a national powerhouse.

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Puzzles, Paradoxes, and Play: Three Alumni/ae Inventors John Tate ’42, Reyn Guyer ’53, and Karen Hsaio Ashe ’72 are internationally known as innovators in their fields.

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The Last Word Nan Dreher, a new faculty member in the Upper School Department of History, reflects on her first year at SPA.

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The Magazine of St. Paul Academy and Summit School

SPRING 2011 SPA Magazine is published in the fall and spring by St. Paul Academy and Summit School for alumni/ae, parents, and friends of the school.

We welcome your comments and thoughts. Please contact us at spamag@spa.edu with suggestions for stories, news, and photos, or write us at SPA Magazine, 1712 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55105.

Head of School Bryn S. Roberts

Through the Doors Spartan Sports Alumni/ae News Philanthropy Class Notes In Memoriam

Editor Ami Berger

On the cover: Ella Coon ’12 at the drawing table. Photo by Scott Streble

Contributing Writers Sasha Aslanian ’86, Ami Berger, Nan Dreher, Tom Fones, Dorothy Goldie ’73, Sarah Johnson, Erin Peterson, Laura Ristau, Mike Ristau ’85, Ashley Stiles, Stephanie Xenos Principal Photographer Scott Streble

2010-2011 Board of Trustees Officers Charlotte Shepard Johnson ’64, President Byron E. Starns, Secretary Philip W. White ’81, Treasurer

SPA

Members Dr. Fahima Aziz Page Knudsen Cowles Elizabeth Driscoll Hlavka Ruth Seely Huss ’57 Frederick C. Kaemmer ’88 Sarah S. Karon Bruce A. Lilly ’70 Ranlet Miner, Jr. Virginia H. Morris Timothy W. J. O’Brien ’77 Ann Ruhr Pifer ’83 Dr. Brian C. Rosenberg Gail A. Ward Timothy A. Welsh Shannon McNeely Whitaker ’78 The Honorable Wilhelmina M. Wright Charles A. Zelle ’73

Read SPA Magazine online at www.spa.edu > About SPA > News and Media

Contributing Photographers Ami Berger, Linda Brooks, Kathryn Campbell, Greg Helgeson, Kreg Holt, Brian Martinez, Diane Rucker, John Severson Design and Layout Kimberlea Weeks Sexton Printing

St. Paul Academy and Summit School 1712 Randolph Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105 651-698-2451 info@spa.edu www.spa.edu

Letter from the Head

Head of School Bryn S. Roberts: “Even as we look ahead to the ways in which these changes will transform SPA, we are

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A little over two years ago, I stopped by the Randolph campus during the winter holiday, and as I walked through an unusually dark and quiet Summit Center I ran into Bill Boulger.

Bill has taught at SPA for more than forty years; many of our graduates will remember him fondly from their Upper School math courses.

Bill was working that day. He was concerned about a tenthgrade student, he told me, whose performance in his Honors Geometry class was not meeting his expectations of her true capabilities. She was making the same mistakes repeatedly, and Bill had just made a careful review of her most recent exam in order to pinpoint where specifically she was struggling.

It won’t surprise anyone who knows Bill to learn that on that day he identified the concept the student was missing and then arranged to meet with her after break. In his patient and thoughtful way, he worked with her until she had mastered the material as he knew she could.

This story captures the essence of exceptional teaching that is at the core of the SPA experience. Our teachers have a deep and varied understanding of their disciplines and are gifted at discerning how to help students succeed in those disciplines.

Bill’s ability—indeed, his determination—to detect the pattern underlying his student’s struggle and then his satisfaction at helping her overcome that struggle represents the very best of what our SPA faculty does every day. We are fortunate to have teachers like Bill Boulger who possess that rare blend of expertise and empathy.

SPA Magazine is a testament to the proficiency and creativity of our faculty and the ways in which they inspire our students to innovate, create, and achieve. On page 6, you’ll read about our efforts to recruit the next generation of Bill Boulgers, an effort that is at the center of SPA’s Strategic Plan. We have partnered with local university teaching programs to identify the best and brightest of their graduates and educate them about the benefits and joys of teaching at independent schools like SPA. Our challenge is to recruit the very best of this new generation

Scott Streble

steadied by our history and reputation.”

of teachers, and we are fortunate that many of these young, bright teachers are at our doorstep because of the very high value placed on education in the Twin Cities.

As our faculty evolves so too will our curriculum, particularly the ways in which we prepare our Upper School students for college work. A notable shift is a new role for Mary Hill, who has served as SPA’s Co-Director of College Counseling since 2000. In July, Mary will move into the role of Director of College Counseling and Academic Planning, and will help guide us in transforming the SPA curriculum so as to provide our students with exceptional collegiate preparation. As educational leaders, we must think in active ways about continuously shaping the SPA experience to meet the shifting standards of higher education.

These shifts—in technology, collaborative learning, and interdisciplinary scholarship, to name just a few—are impacting how and what college students learn. Mary’s deep knowledge of higher education and her position as a national leader in the college counseling profession will be critical in connecting our curriculum to the dynamic intellectual and professional landscapes that our graduates will face after leaving SPA. Even as we look ahead to these changes, we are steadied by our history and reputation. Every indication we have speaks to the intrinsic strength of our school: the 20% increase in applications for admission this year; the numerous awards and honors earned by our students, many of which you’ll read about in these pages; and the continued and growing support of our alumni/ae and parents. As members of our extended community, you are our most important ambassadors and advocates, and I thank you for the part you play in defining and sustaining St. Paul Academy and Summit School.

Best,

Bryn S. Roberts Head of School

spring 2011 | SPA

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Ami Berger

Greg Hegleson

Through the Doors

Pops Concert 2010: “Il Popsarazzi” “Il Popsarazzi” was the theme of SPA’s 2010 Pops Concert, a nod towards pop artist Lady Gaga, one of the artists whose music was performed along with pieces by Freddie Mercury, the Beatles, Madonna, Neil Diamond, Tito Puente, Sting, and many more pop favorites. The concert, held this year at the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium on November 13, showcased the work of SPA’s Gold and Blue Jazz Ensembles, the Upper School Orchestra, Senior Strings, the Summit Singers, and the Academy Chorale. More than two-thirds of SPA’s Upper School students performed in the Pops Concert to a packed audience of parents, faculty, staff, alumni/ae, and fellow students. View a slideshow of photos from “Il Popsarazzi” at www.spa. edu > Arts > Music > Gallery > Pops 2010.

Book Fest 2010 showcases storytelling and SPA authors SPA celebrated the joys of reading and writing during the annual Book Festivals in November 2010. The Lower School Book Festival’s guest speakers included Middle School teacher Andy Hueller, author of Dizzy Fantastic and Her Flying Bicycle, and Karen Clark, author of Sweet Moon Baby.

On the Randolph campus, Book Fest featured an appearance by Minnesota author and storyteller Kevin Kling and several author signings, including one with SPA senior Emma Johnson-Rivard ’11, whose novel Lithium was published in October 2010.

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Seven seniors named 2011 National Merit Finalists Seven members of SPA’s senior class were named National Merit finalists in February 2011. The finalists are (pictured above, left to right): Nathan Rice, Hannah Lutz, Preston Morris, Steve Wendeborn, Alexandra Johnson, John Micevych, and Gavi Levy Haskell.

The seven Finalists, who represent eight percent of the senior class, were recognized as semifinalists in the fall; nationally, less than one percent of high school seniors are awarded Semifinalist recognition. To advance to the finalist level of the competition, semifinalists submitted an application and essay, had an outstanding academic record, were recommended by the high school principal, and earned SAT scores that confirmed the students’ earlier performance on the PSAT. SPA consistently ranks among the top high schools in Minnesota for percentage of class recognized in the National Merit competition.

The seven finalists will now continue in the competition for more than 8,400 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $36 million, to be awarded in the spring of 2011.

SPA’s Academic WorldQuest team is state champion SPA’s Academic WorldQuest team is the Minnesota state champion after its first-place finish in the state tournament on October 29, 2011. The members of the first-place team are Hagop Toghramadjian ’13, Jeremy Tong ’13, Reid Kett ’13, and Hannah Samuelson ’11.

Academic WorldQuest is a national high school competition which challenges students on their knowledge of global affairs. The competition is played between four-person teams who answer rounds of questions testing students’ knowledge of current affairs, world leaders, geography, recent history, flags, international organizations, countries, regions, the world economy, culture, religion, and more.

Linda Brooks

On February 3, 2011, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (pictured at right with Sharon Sethna ’14) joined St. Paul Academy and Summit School students, faculty, and parents for a town-hall-style meeting to discuss federal environmental policy.

Diane Rucker

Betty McCollum holds town hall meeting on the environment at SPA

Congresswoman McCollum’s visit to the school was a direct outcome of SPA’s ninthgrade earth science course and a unit on climate change. As part of that unit, each student researched and authored a “Position Statement on Climate Change,” and copies of those statements were then sent to the entire Minnesota Congressional delegation.

After receiving the students’ papers, Congresswoman McCollum’s office contacted SPA to inquire about visiting the school to talk with the students about their research and national climate and energy policy. During the town hall meeting, McCollum offered remarks on current U.S. energy policy and commented on the students’ papers, calling them “thoughtful and well-written, with a real sense of urgency.”

SPA science teacher Karissa Baker teaches several sections of the earth science class in which students wrote the papers and helped coordinate McCollum’s visit.

“Congresswoman McCollum seemed very impressed with the students’ work and research in their position papers,” Baker says, “and we were thrilled to have her come to campus and engage with our students and our community.”

Lower School CARE Fair explores diversity of experiences and ideas The Lower School’s 2011 CARE Fair, SPA’s celebration of diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion, was held on February 4, 2011.

The event, named for the theme of “Celebrating All, Respecting Everyone,” is held every two years and provides an opportunity for students and parents to explore the different backgrounds and perspectives represented at SPA and throughout the Twin Cities.

This year’s CARE Fair included a special assembly with performing artist Desdemona in the morning, and an afternoon of activity stations highlighting different cultures from around the world. Stations included international food tastings, henna painting, and Aztec dancing. Students made their own passports that were stamped at each station they visited. “CARE Fair is designed to inspire us all to think a little more deeply about the importance of differing experiences and ideas to our vibrant learning and social environment,” says Diversity Dean Karen Dye, “in addition to being a tremendous amount of fun.”

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Through the Doors

Courtesy Tom Fones

Author, activist, and Holocaust survivor Gerda Weissman Klein visits SPA On January 28, 2011, Gerda Weissman Klein spoke to SPA’s eighth graders about citizenship, freedom, and equality.

Klein, the founder of the nonprofit Citizenship Counts, is a Holocaust survivor, author, activist, and recipient of a 2010 Medal of Freedom.

Born in 1924 in Poland, Klein was sent to a series of labor and concentration camps after the German invasion.

She was liberated by American troops in May 1945; one of her liberators was a German-born U.S. Army Intelligence officer named Kurt Klein who became her husband. Married in Paris, the two settled in American in 1946. Klein became an American citizen two years later.

Klein’s pride in her American citizenship and her gratitude to her adopted country led her to found Citizenship Counts, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization with the mission to educate students on the tenets of citizenship, inspire their pride in America, and encourage them to participate in community service.

SPA’s eighth graders are currently studying immigration and citizenship, and Middle School social studies teacher Chris Minns was instrumental in bringing Klein to SPA. Klein spoke to SPA’s eighth graders about the hardships she survived, but also her great love for the United States and her belief in the values and responsibilities of citizenship.

“My dream is to make young people like you understand the greatness and nobility and privilege of citizenship,” Klein told the students. “I know that you will fulfill this dream, you will be great and involved Americans, and that you will help stamp out intolerance and hatred.”

From left: Sam Rosenberg ’12, Zac Mohring ’11, Sam Wood ’13 and Hagop Toghramadjian ’13 all finished among the top eight at the state debate tournament.

Upper School debate wraps up an award-winning season The Upper School debate team continued a tradition of excellence in 2010-11, with more than 70 students participating in more than 600 debates. Senior Zac Mohring and junior Sam Rosenberg finished third at the state tournament and sophomores Hagop Toghramadjian and Sam Wood finished just behind in fourth place. Junior Daniel Porter and senior Zac Mohring qualified for the national debate tournament; junior Danny Foussard and Sam Rosenberg were first alternates, as was senior Sinan Goral in individual debate. Overall, SPA was ranked third in the state in Public Forum debate among schools of all sizes. To cap off the season, Daniel Porter, Zac Mohring, Danny Foussard, and Sam Rosenberg were invited to a national invitational tournament at Harvard University in February; SPA placed 14th out of 220 teams at this prestigious annual tournament.

“This has been an amazing season, perhaps the most successful in my 15 years at SPA,” says debate coach and Upper School teacher Tom Fones. “Our students won numerous awards and trophies, but most remarkable to me is the consistently high level of commitment, learning, and engagement of so many students. I am honored to be their coach and teacher.”

SPA bids fond farewell to long-time faculty Four long-time St. Paul Academy and Summit School teachers will retire at the end of the 2010-11 school year.

Fifth-grade teacher Georgia Bond, who has taught at SPA since 1982; kindergarten teacher Molly Kleven, who has taught the littlest Spartans since 1972; 3/4 teacher Bob Prunty, a Lower School fixture since 1971; and co-athletic director Dave Montgomery, who has been with SPA since 1969, will all retire in June 2011.

Georgia Bond Fifth Grade Teacher Molly Kleven Kindergarten Teacher

Dave Montgomery Co-Athletic Director Bob Prunty Lower School Teacher

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Ami Berger

Ami Berger

Totems created by students with Artist-in-Residence Deb LeAir in the Goodrich Living room.

Citron Fine Arts Fund brings artists-in-residence to the Lower School During the 2010-11 school year, the Lower School hosted five artists-in-residence who worked with students on special projects in drama, music, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media. The artist-in-residence program was made possible by the Ellie Citron Fine Arts Fund, which supports special programming in the arts at SPA. Clay artists Deb LeAir and Aldo Moroni led students in both individual sculpture projects and cooperative sculptures, many of which are now installed on the Goodrich campus. Theater and music educator Sarah Richardson worked with fifth-graders on dramatizing a series of fables which they performed in December. Composer Jay Broeker worked with students on a choral piece with Orff instrument accompaniment, and musician Roger Sams was commissioned for a special piece for first- and secondgraders to learn and perform.

“These residencies enriched our curriculum and the breadth of artistic experience available to our students, and also enriched our arts faculty as educators,” says Lower School assistant principal and music teacher Beth Nelson. “It was an amazing opportunity for our students, thanks to the generosity of the Citron Fund, which allowed us to hire high-quality artists for a significant period of time this year.”

Middle School math team takes first place in Math League, dominates season SPA’s Middle School math team, coached by Middle School math teacher Jan Hartman, took first place in its most recent Math League competition on January 10, 2011. The first-place finish caps off a very successful season for the team, which “dominated” the season, says Hartman.

In addition to the team’s first-place team finish, four students were awarded medals in the individual competition: Neerja Thakkar (grade 8) took the first-place medal; Sandhya Ramachandran (grade 8) took second; Brian Heilig (grade 8) took fifth; and Milo Wittenberg (grade 7) took eighth.

The Math League’s competitions are based on standard math curricula through eighthgrade algebra. The individual competition requires students to successfully complete five problems in 10 minutes, and the team round requires teams of six to successfully solve 10 problems in 20 minutes; the SPA team earned a perfect score on its team round in the January 10 competition.

Actor and teaching artist Jimonn Cole (left) discusses the finer points of Romeo and Juliet with students in Emily Meisler’s English class.

Shakespearean actor brings Romeo and Juliet to life for juniors and seniors In January 2011, SPA partnered with The Acting Company, a New York theater education group, to bring a working Shakespearean actor into the junior/ senior Shakespeare elective’s study of Romeo and Juliet. Jimonn Cole (pictured above at left), an actor and teaching artist with The Acting Company, spent a week with students in Randall Findlay’s and Emily Meisler’s Shakespeare classes.

Cole led the classes in analyzing the tragedy from an actor’s point of view, with specific focus on Act I, Scene I. Findlay notes that the process of physically preparing the scene—and reading it more than a dozen times— was instrumental in deepening the students’ understanding of the play as a whole. “By the time Jimonn was done, the students knew the scene and could discuss it inside and out,” Findlay says.

“This gave students the tools to deeply explore any scene in the play, and get a richer sense of the possibilities of the language and character and ideas by trying them out in a format that’s more immediate than academic discussion.”

At the conclusion of Cole’s work with the students, both classes visited the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis to attend its production of Romeo and Juliet. spring 2011 | SPA

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Through the Doors

Ami Berger

SPA kicks off teacher recruitment effort SPA has kicked off the first phase of a new faculty recruitment effort designed to educate up-and-coming K-12 teachers about independent schooling and instruction.

In collaboration with several local colleges and universities, including Carleton College, Hamline University, and St. Catherine University, dozens of education students visited SPA during two Educator Open Houses in February 2011. One Open House was held at the Randolph campus for students interested in teaching grades 6-12, and a second Open House was held at the Goodrich campus for aspiring Lower School teachers.

Lower Schoolers study one of Joy Liberman’s “Apple A Day” paintings in the Drake Gallery.

Drake Gallery features “An Apple a Day” In March 2011, the Harry M. Drake Gallery featured the work of Twin Cities artist and SPA art teacher Joy Liberman.

The exhibit, entitled “An Apple a Day,” chronicled a year of Liberman’s artistic life, in which she painted an apple every day for 365 days.

According to Liberman, the project began as a way of exploring and artistically representing the passage of time. “I chose the apple for my first composition because of its simplicity and availability,” Liberman says. “It was an intuitive and practical decision to continue painting the apple, but after several days I found that my mind had taken off on the idea and I would need to continue for quite some time.”

The “Apple A Day” exhibit is made up of three hundred and sixty-five 8 x 8 inch panels, representing 365 different views of an apple in a monthly “calendar” format. Variety is not only in the apple’s color, size, or degree of freshness, but is considered in formalistic, historic and popular symbolic terms: represented among the apples are apple blossoms, an Adam’s apple, apple cores, and SPA college counselor Jill Apple.

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SPA | spring 2011

During the two Open Houses, the visiting students toured campus, met with students and current faculty, and heard remarks by Head of School Bryn Roberts about the opportunities independent schools offer both students and teachers. “This effort is the first step in tending to the needs of an evolving faculty and an evolving institution,” Roberts says. “We’re very fortunate to be located in St. Paul, surrounded by excellent colleges and universities that have historically sent us many excellent teachers. We want to solidify those relationships, and make sure that both the students and their professors understand the many virtues of teaching at SPA.” Deborah Appleman is a professor of educational studies who also coordinates the teacher preparatory program at Carleton College in Northfield, MN. Appleman, who brought half a dozen of her students to the Educator Open House on the Randolph campus, reports that her students “were very grateful to spend time at SPA and to consider the possibilities of teaching in an independent school.”

One of those students, Ryan Oto, was especially impressed with the classroom dynamics he observed during his visit. “The exchange of ideas and the fluid discussions I saw demonstrated an inspired learning environment that anyone who values education would love to work in,” says Oto, who also noted the high quality of faculty development at SPA. “The collaboration and professional development system in place at SPA is one of the best I’ve ever come across,” Oto says. “Visiting a school that demands innovation rather than repetition, and fosters the growth of faculty and staff together makes me hope that one day I can work in a school that shares these values.”

SPA adds to bus service in west metro In January 2011, SPA launched a new bus route serving more than 20 children who live in southwest Minneapolis and Edina. A significant increase in the number of SPA families who live in the neighborhood, along with the needs of parents for transportation to and from the school’s two St. Paul campuses, prompted the creation of the new service.

This is the third bus line SPA has offered in the past several years; the school already runs two buses to and from the Kenwood neighborhood in Minneapolis.

“In the past, SPA families tended to cluster in the Macalester-Groveland and Highland Park neighborhoods in St. Paul,” says Head of School Bryn Roberts, “but that is no longer the case. SPA today is much more geographically diverse, and our school is always looking to find ways to make traveling to and from school more convenient for all our families.” Roberts notes that about one-third of SPA’s families live in Minneapolis and the western suburbs, including Edina, Eden Prairie, and Bloomington. According to Roberts, the school is looking at other potential routes, including North Oaks and several other east metro neighborhoods.

Spartan Sports

Cross Country The girls’ and boys’ cross country teams both placed fifth out of nine teams in the TriMetro conference, with three girls and four boys earning All-Conference honors: seniors Jada Wensman and Carter Peterson; sophomores Lily Rogers-Grant, Ellen Swenson, Spencer Egly,and Steven Olson; and eighth-grader Mike Destache. The Spartan girls placed seventh in Section competition with Lily RodgerGrant leading the way.

The Spartan boys secured the sixth-place spot in the Section meet and were lead by Mike Destasche. Both teams were among the top five teams in four of their seven meets.

Girls’ Soccer The girls’ varsity soccer team started the year with many new, young faces, but what was thought to be a rebuilding year proved to be much more for the team.

The team established a new record for goals scored in the season with 69 goals in 18 games, securing a secondplace finish in conference play with a 11-4-2 record.

Victories throughout Sectional play ended with a loss in the Section 3A championship 1 game. Junior Jenna O’Brien was named to the All-State team and sophomores Amanda Hotvedt, Nina Perkkio, and Mara Walli, senior

Boys’ Soccer

1 | Senior Erin Swansen ’11 takes the ball down the field 2 | The varsity boys’ soccer team huddles up during the state tournament.

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two events, the 200 IM and 500 Free, as well as competing in two relays.

Girls’ Swimming and Diving

Football

The swim team finished in third place in the conference out of seven teams with a 5-2 record. Across the board, the girls improved their times in the final meets of the season.

At Sections, junior and cocaptain Ceallach Gibbons qualified for finals (top 16) in

Spartan football had many changes this season, including a new coaching staff. Despite the team’s 0-8 season, there were many individual bright spots. On the offensive end, senior James Adams lead the team in rushing yards and junior Andrew Bradley lead the team in receiving yards.

Sophomore Danny O’Shea lead the team on defense, including 88 solo tackles.

Girls’ Tennis The team began the season by placing second at the Andover tournament, and after a 15-10 season, took second at Sectionals, losing a close match against the eventual State champions.

Three athletes made it to State competition, including the sophomore doubles team of Gina Nguyen and Sarah Hays, which got to the consolation finals. Freshman Sonya Das placed third in the Individual Singles State Tournament. It was her first year at State and she was the only freshman in the draw.

Volleyball

Courtesy SPA Athletics

The boys’ varsity soccer team had an excellent season, finishing with a 16-6-1 record.

The team placed second in the Tri-Metro Conference, first place in Section 3A, and fourth place in State. The team finished the year in state semis in the Metrodome, within one game of the final in the State Tournament. The Spartans compiled an impressive 5-2 record in post-season play, the first SPA team to make the state tournament in 14 years. Senior Nick Forsgren was named to the All-State team and also named MVP of the “Senior Showcase” game, in which Minnesota’s All-State players play against each other. Senior Conor Perkkio was named All-State Honorable Mention, and four teammates received All-Conference honors: seniors Max Hommeyer, Mac Stringer, and Sam Foresgren; and junior Gabe Brennaman.

Tania Russell, and eighthgrader Molly Fiedler received All-Conference honors.

Courtesy SPA Athletics

Fall Sports

The Spartan Volleyball team welcomed a new coaching staff and many new players in fall 2010; more athletes participated in volleyball this year than in the past three seasons. The young team went 4-14 for the season.

Junior Erica Miller received All-Conference honors while junior Isabel LaVercombe, sophomore Katie Larsen, and eighth-grader Mira Grinsfelder received All-Conference Honorable Mentions. spring 2011 |

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Spartan Sports

Boys’ Alpine Skiing The boys’ Alpine team finished the 2010-11 season placing fourth in the TriMetro Conference. Honorable Mention All-Conference honors were awarded to eighth-grader Jonathan Sogin. Senior Ross Baker earned a First Team All-Conference nod from the Tri-Metro Conference as well as the Alpine Coaches AllState Team Award. Baker took third place at the State meet and was invited to compete in the 2011 U.S. Alpine National Championships in Winter Park, Colorado at the end of March.

Girls’ Hockey

A young girls’ basketball team finished the season in 11th place in conference play. Juniors Erica Miller and Maggie Johnson both received All-Conference Honorable Mention honors in the Tri-Metro Conference.

Bari Applebaum was awarded team MVP and Molly Fielder received the Ms. Basketball award, given to the player who best displays effort, attitude, and respect.

Spartan fencing closed another great season placing second at the state meet. Men’s Foil, Men’s Epee, Women’s Foil, and Women’s Epee all finished second and Women’s Saber and Men’s Saber finished third and fourth respectively.

Placing within the top five

It was another strong year for the United Girls’ hockey team lead by SPA senior defenseman Delaney Middlebrook. Team United took third place in the conference and earned a second seed in Sectional play. Middlebrook was named to the All-Conference team, earned All-State honors, and was voted team MVP. SPA’s Alev Baysoy was also awarded All-Conference honors and was voted Most Dedicated Player by her teammates.

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Boys’ Nordic Skiing The Spartan Boys’ Nordic ski team finished second in the Tri-Metro Conference and placing 10th in the Sectional meet. Senior Carter Peterson was named First Team AllConference, and juniors Gabe Chang and Ben Palmer earned All-Conference Honorable Mention awards.

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SPA | spring 2011

Boys’ Hockey

1 | Jeron Mariani ’13 takes a jump shot over the heads of St. Paul Preparatory defenders 2 | Drew Blackmun ’14 on the ice during a varsity hockey game 3 | Team captain Ceallach Gibbons ’12 swims to the finish.

Girls’ Nordic Skiing The girls’ Nordic ski teams finished third in the Tri-Metro conference and eighth at the Sectional competition. The team was also awarded a silver team medal by the Minnesota Nordic Ski Coaches Association for having an average GPA of 3.7. Senior Jacqueline Lis earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors.

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Courtesy SPA Athletics

The girls’ Alpine team secured a fifth-place finish in the TriMetro conference and placed 17th in Sectional competition.

Eighth-grader Julia Hansen was named All-Conference Honorable Mention honors.

Fencing

Courtesy SPA Athletics

Girls’ Alpine Skiing

Girls’ Basketball

Courtesy SPA Athletics

Winter Sports

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Boys’ Basketball The Spartan boys’ basketball team closed out a tough rebuilding year at 6-20 in the conference. They received a ninth seed in Sectional play and three players were named to the All-Conference team: senior Sam Dicke and sophomores Josh Gray and Spencer Egly. Sam Dicke was voted team MVP and Most Improved Player went to junior Joe Klein.

of each division were the following Spartan fencers: senior Phillip Dougherty, fifth in Men’s Foil; sophomore Francesco Di Caprio, fifth in Men’s Epee; senior Emma Johnson-Rivard, first in Women’s Foil; sophomore Marie Siliciano, third in Women’s Epee; and senior Hannah Lutz, fifth in Women’s Saber.

The Spartan boys’ hockey team had a successful season under first-year coach and former NHL player Joe Dziedzic. The team finished fifth in a highly competitive Tri-Metro Conference with a record of 11-13-2. Senior defenseman Max Hommeyer earned All-Conference honors and senior James Adams was named All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Boys’ Swimming and Diving The boys’ swimming and diving team, in cooperation with Highland Park High School, finished second in the St. Paul City Conference.

All-Conference selections were Junior Matt Nelson and senior Steven Wendeborn.

Nelson and Wendeborn’s 200-yard medley relay team finished fourth in Sectional competition and their 400 freestyle relay finished fifth.

In individual events, Nelson secured a third place finish in the 50 freestyle and Wendeborn took first place in his 100 backstroke event.

This fall, SPA’s soccer program for fifth and sixth grade boys had a championship season. The two teams, one named “Blue” and the other “Gold,” faced each other in the championship match on October 29. The game featured numerous scoring opportunities and even better goal tending play. At the conclusion of regulation time and overtime, the score remained 0-0, forcing a shoot-out. In the end, the Gold team won the game 3-0. It was an excellent display of soccer skills, leadership skills, and fair and intense play. Coach Brian Martinez, who also teaches grades 1 and 2 in the Lower School, praised the hard work of all the boys on the Blue and Gold teams: “The championship game was a culmination of the boys’ hard work and dedication which began at the beginning of August,” Martinez says.

Brian Martinez

SPA 5/6 boys’ soccer teams play each other for the championship

Ross Baker ’11 competes at Alpine ski Nationals

Two Spartans named Pioneer Press Athletes of the Week In January 2011, senior Delaney Middlebrook and freshman Alev Baysoy, who were named “Athletes of the Week” by the Pioneer Press on January 18 for their play on the girls varsity hockey team.

The Pioneer Press piece noted Delaney’s “shutdown” defensive skills and Alev’s team-leading 28 points this season, and quotes girls’ hockey coach Ted Cheesebrough: “Delaney is always engaged in the play, and Alev is a dynamic playmaker and goalscorer,” Cheesebrough says.

Courtesy of Ross Baker

Senior Ross Baker was invited to compete in the 2011 U.S. Alpine National Championships in Winter Park, Colorado, in March 2011. Alpine Nationals is an invitation-only competition for the United States National Ski Team and the country’s top high school and collegiate skiers.

Baker’s invitation to Nationals followed his successful 2010-11 season, in which he earned a third-place medal in the Minnesota State Alpine ski meet in February 2011. “This is an unbelievable opportunity for Ross, one that he’s worked hard for,” says Mike Brown, SPA’s Co-Athletic Director. “Competing at Nationals is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it will be an absolute thrill for Ross to compete against the best skiers in the country.”

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spring 2011 | SPA

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The Inner Landscape: Scott Streble

The Visual Arts at SPA

By STePHAnie XenoS

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As the afternoon sun streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Randolph campus art wing, Allyson Amis ’11 describes her current painting project: a series of family portraits done in acrylic paint but with a deliberately blurry, watercolor-inspired technique.

The series is a part of Amis’ painting independent study, which she has undertaken under the guidance of art teacher Marty Nash, who teaches drawing and painting in the Middle and Upper Schools. The independent study has been one of the highlights of senior year for Amis, who will attend Lewis & Clark College in the fall: when she’s not in class, she’s often in the art wing working on her painting and watching the progress of friends’ projects. “This is such an amazing space—it’s wild and calming at the same time,” Amis says, looking around the spacious studio filled with student artwork. “I’ll come here during my free periods and paint, or sometimes just wander. I feel like I’m more balanced and focused when I’m surrounded by art.”

Over at SPA’s Goodrich campus, being surrounded by art is an everyday experience. Almost every inch of the Lower School’s wall space is covered with student work, from the art-filled classrooms to the paintings in the stairwells to the six-foot-high Medieval town—created out of clay by the third- and fourth-graders this past winter—

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in the school’s Living Room. The abundance of artwork is a big factor in the exuberance and energy of the Goodrich campus, but as Lower School art teacher Patty Paulus notes, there is a real method to the madness. “Even the youngest students quickly develop a visual vocabulary,” says Paulus, who teaches art to students in kindergarten and grades 1 and 2. “We walk around the building like we’re in an art gallery, and we talk about each piece. It’s amazing how articulate the kids are about the art they see.”

Art is not just decoration at SPA. Visual art occupies as important a place in the school’s curriculum as it does on its walls, and students are immersed in the visual arts from the earliest grades. In the Lower School, students are in the art studio twice a week under the direction of Paulus and fellow art teacher Joy Liberman, who teaches art in grades 3-5. In the Middle School, students are required to take visual arts courses—which include the study of collage, drawing, copper tooling, painting, and ceramics—all three years, and in the Upper School students choose from options in drawing, painting, ceramics, and photography. In the senior year, highly skilled students like Amis may opt to carry out independent studies or enroll in the Senior Art Seminar, an advanced course which provides the academic year’s eighth and final exhibit in the school’s museum-quality Harry M. Drake Gallery.

Artistic and academic alignment One highlight of this year’s Senior Art Seminar exhibit is the work of Jacqueline Lis ’11. Lis is an accomplished photographer whose work has earned statewide recognition; this year, she was one of five recipients of the Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards’ highest honor, the American Visions Award, for her photo collage “Generations”; the collage also earned the MSAA’s Gold Key award and was exhibited at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. But photography is much more than a creative outlet for Lis, who will attend Princeton University in the fall; she considers her artwork an essential component of her academic experience, not an escape from it.

“My photography has most definitely affected how I approach my schoolwork,” says Lis, who sees an alignment between the critical eye and personal exploration required to make good art and the synthesis of substance and style necessary to produce quality academic work. “My photography has become a reference point for looking not only at art, but at the world,” she says. “It’s as though I’m constantly critiquing the ideas and perspectives I encounter in my classes as pieces of art.” Photography teacher Linda Brooks, who taught Lis in her Beginning Photography course two years ago, notes that these are skills carefully developed throughout SPA’s visual arts curriculum. “In all our visual arts classes, we encourage students to use their hearts and minds to explore their ideas,” Brooks says. “The result is artwork that has authentic intelligence and meaning.”

Lis’ reflections make clear why the SPA curriculum stresses the visual arts, says Assistant Head of School Cindy Richter.

“The lessons learned in the visual arts apply across disciplines,” Richter says. “Just as in the science classroom students are engaged in scientific inquiry and in history students are finding their voices as historians, in the visual arts they are engaged in the process of creating and questioning as an artist. Students delve into the authentic practice of each discipline they study at SPA. They might be using different tools, but the approach is consistent in its support of creative and critical thinking.”

Head of School Bryn Roberts agrees. “At SPA we view the visual arts as one of the pillars of a comprehensive liberal arts education. Developing students’ critical thinking skills and giving them the tools to engage meaningfully with the world around them requires thoughtful schooling in the visual arts.”

According to alumnus Richard Barlow ’88, such thoughtful schooling has great merit. “The art classes at SPA were an important part of a broader liberal arts education which has served me well,” says Barlow, who attended the Rhode Island School of Design after graduating from SPA. He is now a working artist, an art writer, and teaches at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and St. Cloud State University. “At SPA, I learned that art is always about ideas,” Barlow says, “and it never stands alone. It works as a form of discourse that connects to wider culture and history.”

Art history The school’s current visual arts curriculum has deep roots, stretching back to the pre-merger Summit School.

Jean Gayne, who taught art at both Summit and the merged school, led a visual arts program at Summit that required all girls to explore multiple art disciplines throughout their Summit careers.

After the merge, Hazel Belvo continued that tradition of arts immersion for the upper grades at the new coed institution. In 1973, Belvo hired clay artist Bob Jewett to teach ceramics in grades 7-12, and together the pair built the foundation for SPA’s current visual arts department.

The 2011 Senior Art Seminar exhibit in the Drake Gallery featured the work of twelve student artists, including Ami berger

Jacqueline Lis’ awardwinning photo collage, Generations (above center).

“Hazel and I were commissioned to build an art program for the merged school,” Jewett says. “I didn’t realize at the time what an extraordinary opportunity it was.” Given the relatively small size of the art faculty and the student body, Belvo and Jewett kept the curriculum focused on a few disciplines: ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, and photography.

They were also very clear about their expectations for their students. “We decided right away to treat our students as if they were artists,” Jewett says, “and they responded to that. Right away the students just fell in love with making art.” spring 2011 | SPA

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“We decided right away to treat our students as if they were artists, and they responded to that.

Right away the students just fell Scott Streble

in love with making art.”

Richard Barlow recalls how his SPA art classes enriched his thinking. “Classes were taught with a real awareness of art history and the wider art world,” says Barlow, who also remembers how the environment of the school itself supported his artistic development. “I remember flipping through old issues of Art in America in the library, seeing posters and postcards pinned up around the school about shows at the Walker, and really getting a sense that art was part of a larger world of discourse, and not just an extracurricular addendum to my education.”

year, including six shows by professional artists. Artists featured in the gallery regularly come from within SPA’s own ranks—Jewett and Lower School teacher Joy Liberman both had well-received shows during the 2010-11 school year—but are also drawn from the Twin Cities arts community. The Drake Gallery provides students with the opportunity to see original art and engage with the artists, who visit the school over the course of their exhibits to work with students. “Almost every artist who shows at the gallery comes in to talk with the visual arts classes, and the students have the opportunity to reflect on the work with the artists,” says Nash.

“It’s like being in a lab with a scientist participating in discovery.”

The science metaphor is not lost on Joy Liberman, who teaches art in grades 3-5. “My job is as much about making connections as about making art,” says Liberman, who recently took advantage of an insect unit her students were studying in their science class to create a related drawing and painting project. The students studied insects through magnifying glasses, drew what they observed, then chose an interesting area and blew that up to make an abstract painting inspired by their original insect drawing. “By the time they’re done, no one would know it’s an insect, but the kids understand that that’s how ideas grow and evolve,” Liberman says, “and they begin to understand that science and art are not entirely separate ways of thinking.”

Scott Streble

Graduates who have pursued careers in the arts recall the classes taught by Jewett, Belvo, and the rest of the visual arts faculty as critical to their development as artists.

“SPA gave me the opportunity to explore art, and both Hazel and Bob were guides for me,” says Peter Zelle ’83. Zelle is now a glass artist and the owner of Zelle Glass Studio in Minneapolis. “They introduced me to the fundamentals of drawing and ceramics. They talked about artistic ideas and concepts. They challenged me when I needed a push. They exposed me to other artists.

They gave me the foundation—both technically and philosophically—to study art at a very high level and propelled me toward a life in a creative profession.”

Theory and practice SPA’s visual arts faculty share a common identity as both instructors and practitioners in their chosen disciplines.

“We are all teachers and practicing artists,” says Marty Nash, “so in the classroom and in our professional lives, we are all doing what we want the students to do—know themselves and be themselves as artists.”

Opportunities to learn from working artists extend beyond the classroom. The Ellie Citron Fine Arts Fund, which supports special projects in the fine arts at SPA, brings artists from around the country to the school to work with students (see sidebar); and the Harry M. Drake Gallery, located on the first floor of the Randolph campus, features a rotation of eight art exhibitions every 12

SPA | spring 2011

– Bob Jewett

Joy Liberman: “My job is as much about making connections as about making art.”

Ami Berger

Ellie Citron Fine Arts Fund Over the course of the 2010-11 year, a succession of visiting Artists-in-Residence have guided SPA’s Lower Schoolers in creating a series of distinctive visual art projects. The Artist-in-Residence program was made possible by the Ellie Citron Fine Arts Fund, a special fund created in 2007 by the Citron family to support the fine arts at SPA. For the first three years of the fund , programming focused on music, drama, and art in the Middle and Upper Schools. In 2010-11, the fourth year of the five-year program, it was the Lower School’s turn to take advantage of the Ellie Citron Fund. A cohort of local artists were engaged to work with students on a wide range of artistic endeavors. Minneapolis artist Aldo Moroni joined third- and fourth-graders to oversee the creation of a Medieval village (pictured at right) made up of individual clay towers and buildings. Moroni’s work was a part of the students’ unit on Medieval life and culture, and the final village was proudly displayed in the Goodrich Living Room during the annual Medieval Feast in March. St. Paul artist Deb LeAir worked with first-and second-graders on a tile project; students created individual tiles which were then combined into a single piece, now displayed in the Lower School. LeAir also worked with fifthgraders on a stunning totem project, in which each student created a personal totem using mixed media. The Ellie Citron Fund also supported programming in music projects in the Lower School this past year. The fund’s final year in 2011-12 will be focused on K-12 arts education throughout the arts disciplines.

The Ellie Citron Fine Arts Fund was established in 2007 by the family of the late Ellen “Ellie” Lee Citron, who took great pleasure in watching her children explore the arts while students at SPA. The five-year fund supports projects in the fine arts at SPA, and was a generous gift to the school from Paul Citron, Dan ’89 and Tracey Citron, and Matt Larson ’97 and Dena Citron Larson ’97.

Developing the inner landscape

“Our approach is not just about teaching skills, but helping students develop their inner landscape. When that happens, the work begins to reflect the artist in very personal ways that have universal appeal.”

“We are really allowed to experiment and figure out how to express ourselves as artists,” says Jacqueline Lis. “Being creative takes practice, and it takes time to develop artistic skill and vision. The art classes at SPA provide enough instruction to build skills and enough time to learn how we work as individuals and as artists. I think that approach is really important because art shouldn’t have boundaries.”

Lis’ classmate Alex Smith ’11 agrees. As part of the Senior Art Seminar, Smith developed a series of interrelated selfportraits inspired by the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

According to Smith, the series portrays “the angst of what life looks like for a teenager,” using bright colors, thick black outlines, and graffiti-like text. The work is experimental and somewhat edgy—and the SPA visual arts faculty wouldn’t have it any other way. “[Art class] has the possibility of being a very safe place where kids can feel like they’ve accomplished something meaningful without experiencing a whole lot of judgment on the way,” says Bob Jewett.

Ami Berger

By the time students reach the upper grades, students have developed both the skills and the understanding to explore their own artistic directions, which sometimes means experimentation and pushing of boundaries.

The work of Alex Smith ’11 on exhibit in the Drake Gallery during the 2011 Senior Art Seminar show.

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Read All About It: The Rubicon By erin PeTerSon

The Rubicon, the newspaper that has fostered generations of SPA student journalists, has evolved into a national powerhouse.

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The publications room is a hive of activity on a morning in late February. About a dozen Rubicon editors and writers walk into the classroom with story drafts in hand, then circle up around the large table. The mood is buoyant but focused: the Rubicon staff is in the midst of assembling the next month’s issue, which, in some ways, will be their most ambitious of the year. “It’s a 3-D issue,” explains Kathryn Campbell, Upper School English teacher and Rubicon advisor. “I’m excited about it, and slightly terrified.” The issue will take more time than usual to create and will require students to learn new technology and photography techniques.

The issue, which came out in early March, featured a 3-D cover and 3-D images throughout the paper, 3-D-themed articles, and pairs of 3-D glasses inserted into every copy. And while it may end up being the most visually dramatic publication in The Rubicon’s history, it is far from the only one that has made an impact. In recent years, the paper has published stories on topics ranging from suicide to homosexuality, added a section on science and technology, revamped the center spread, and added full-color pages. The changes have earned notice from students—and a trophy case worth of awards from state and national journalism organizations.

Building Skills

currenT iSSue: 2011

Campbell praises her staff for their skills as writers and editors, skills that are carefully developed and sharpened well before students get anywhere near a Rubicon byline. All Rubicon writers and editors take at least one semester

FirST iSSue: FALL 1974

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1986

1998

2007

Kathryn Campbell

The Rubicon recognized as one of America’s best student newspapers In 2010, The Rubicon amassed an impressive list of state and national student journalism awards, placing it among the country’s most outstanding student newspapers.

Student journalists from The Rubicon and in the Writing for Publications I class attended the day-long Minnesota High School Press Association Convention in October 2010.

(and sometimes two) of SPA’s Writing for Publication class, taught by Upper School English teacher Randall Findlay. “The goal is to teach them an approach to writing and information gathering that will serve them no matter what they decide to do,” says Findlay.

In the Writing for Publication courses, students learn the skills needed to report, write, and polish stories for a serious and sophisticated newspaper. While many students have spent significant time learning to write academic papers, they discover that journalistic writing is another animal entirely. At the beginning of the course, Findlay asks students to rewrite “Little Red Riding Hood” as a news story instead of a fairy tale.

“The first thing they need to do is flip the story upside down: the ending has to be the first paragraph,” he says. (“Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother are safe and sound after nearly being eaten by a wolf last Thursday afternoon…”)

Students learn about story angles, how to ask good interview questions, and how to meet specific word count requirements. The class also pushes them to think beyond academic topics, says Rebecca Xu ’12, the Rubicon’s features co-editor. “I felt like I really learned to write about everything and anything when I took Writing for Pub last year,” says Xu, who points somewhat incredulously to a story she wrote in the class about hulahooping as a sport. “I definitely haven’t been able to do something like

Gold Medal, Columbia Scholastic Press Association: The Rubicon’s entire series of 2009-10 issues was awarded a 2010 Gold Medal from the CSPA, an affiliate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism which works to uphold the standards of student journalism and recognize excellence in student print and online media.

National First Class rating, National Scholastic Press Association: The NSPA, which judges student newspapers from around the country, awarded the 2009-10 Rubicon a First Class honor rating. The Rubicon also received three Marks of Distinction in the NSPA competition for Coverage and Content; Photography, Art, and Graphics; and Leadership.

All State Silver award, Minnesota High School Press Association: At the 2010 Minnesota High School Press Association convention, The Rubicon earned an All State Silver award for its 2009-10 series of issues, and a “Best in Show” third-place honor for its September 2010 issue.

Five Rubicon staffers were also honored by the MHSPA: Leah Sorenson ’10 took first place in the Front Page Design category; Nadja Leonhard-Hooper ’11 earned second place and Allison Wang ’12 was an honorable mention in the Feature Story category; Maddie Butler ’11 took second place in Centerspread Design; and Rebecca Xu ’12 earned third place in the Sports Story category.

What’s in a name? The first issue of The Rubicon, published in the fall of 1974, contained this explanation of the paper’s moniker: “...to pass or cross the Rubicon is to take the irrevocable, decisive step,” wrote the editors, who hoped the paper would mirror the institution’s new, decisive direction in the years following the 1969 merge.

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that in any other class,” she says. Henry Moyers ’11, the other features co-editor, adds that even though class work was focused on journalistic writing, it’s a skill that carries over to other classes.

“It really focuses your writing skills,” he says.

New Media, New Directions Findlay emphasizes traditional, long-format news stories as the foundation for publication writing, but acknowledges that such stories are just one of the many ways the students and their readers now think about “news.” For this generation of students, growing up with the internet and massive amounts of online media has affected the way they read, write, and understand content. As nearly everything they view on the web includes graphics, videos, and interactive features, the students in Findlay’s class don’t simply read their news—they expect to be able to click, comment, and be an active part of the story.

In recent years, The Rubicon has evolved to meet those expectations. Though a printed paper doesn’t present as many options for interaction, Campbell and her staff pay an increasing amount of attention to making The Rubicon just as engaging as the other media that compete for their readers’ attention. “The staff and I talk about ‘entry points’ into an article,” says Campbell.

She encourages her staff to think about the different components that pull a reader into a story, such as punny headlines (a feature on a student’s prize-winning goat prompted a headline about how she “bleats” the competition), strong photos, thoughtprovoking pull quotes, charts, and sidebars. An investigative feature can still go just as in-depth as it has in the past, Campbell says, but it will no longer include pages and pages of unbroken text since readers are now more accustomed to the “chunking” of online stories, which tend to be broken up into shorter pieces.

Scott Streble

No matter how connected students are to their laptops and smartphones, Campbell adds, the print newspaper still has an important place. “Students may love the internet for YouTube videos, streaming TV shows, and posting on Facebook, but when

it comes to their student news, kids still want a print paper,” she says. “It’s an important part of the community, something you can hold in your hands that represents the school. The Rubicon is literally a physical connection to what SPA students value and think is important enough to be reported.”

With that in mind, the newspaper staff has poured time and resources into making the paper more colorful and visually attractive. A prime example is the paper’s Centerspread, a graphics-heavy page that this year has featured a dramatic, full-page photo of the boys’ soccer team, and a clever magnetic-poetry-inspired feature on the power of words.

“For the Centerspread, you’ve really got to know [design and photography] programs like InDesign and Photoshop,” says Iman Jafri ’11, the section’s editor. “I’ve gone to conferences where there were whole sessions on things like how to use a font.”

Student attendance at such conferences is part of Campbell’s efforts to steep students in journalism’s best practices while giving them the freedom to pursue the stories that interest them.

It has proved to be a successful formula. The Rubicon recently earned a Gold Medal (the highest honor) for its entire series of 2009-10 issues from the journalism school at Columbia University.

Judges hailed the staff for showing “energy and commitment” while offering a “useful window on the school community.”

The National Scholastic Press Association recently gave the paper a “First Class” rating, with judges calling it a “top-notch paper from top to bottom,” noting its exceptional campus coverage, local features, and issue-based stories. And in the past two years, dozens of individual students have taken home awards for writing, design, and photography.

Real World Lessons Recent years have produced some controversy for The Rubicon as well as accolades and honors. In 2009, the paper published a story in which some students, who remained anonymous, admitted to drug use. Though the newspaper staff did extensive

“Students may love Facebook, but when it comes to their student news, kids still want a print paper... The Rubicon is literally a physical connection to what SPA students value and think is important enough to be reported.”

–Rubicon advisor Kathryn campbell

At left: Staffers Allison Wang ’12, Iman Jafri ’11, Henry Moyers ’11, and Taylor Billeadeau ’11 at work in The Rubicon’s staff room .

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“The Rubicon really taught me to write and report about issues. It was a very fun experience, and I think that was one of the Kreg Holt

things that attracted me to journalism.“ -Dave Kansas ’85

work to write a balanced, honest story, the article became a subject of debate. Academic leaders were concerned about the story’s content, accuracy, and use of anonymous sources; the staff was concerned about issues of free speech.

The incident sparked an institutional discussion about what was—and wasn’t—appropriate for a student newspaper story. In the process students learned about free speech, decision-making, and transparency.

An faculty review board was added to the newspaper’s production schedule, and a more collaborative approach has become the norm.

“It was a tremendous learning experience for everybody, me included,” says Campbell. “Our staff used to talk about First Amendment protections [before the incident], but very few student journalists understand what their rights really are. That understanding has stayed with the students, and that’s a really good thing.”

Rachel Wilensky ’10, who was managing editor of The Rubicon during the controversy and editor-in-chief the following year, said the staff took responsibility for their mistakes—and worked hard to re-establish their credibility. “One thing that I learned from that [experience] was how widely read The Rubicon was,” she says. “I realized that if something was wrong, it will make a difference to people, and you’ve got to stay on top of that.”

Courtesy IBID

Indeed, Rubicon staff seem to have deep respect for the publishing process, and understand that their work can have a real impact.

“Being in charge of something that’s actually published, instead of just your homework that only your teacher sees, has taught me a lot,” says Rachel Kinney ’12. “You’ve got to make your work as good as it can possibly be. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it’s worth it.”

Foundation for Success Though not every Rubicon staffer studies journalism after leaving SPA, those who do find their experience working on the paper serves them well in college and beyond. Rachel Wilensky, who is now a communications and political science major at the University of Iowa, says the expertise she gained on The Rubicon goes beyond writing. “Working on The Rubicon gave me the skills I needed to work in a professional environment, and I feel much more confident contacting my professors and people in the community,” she says. “Being able to communicate with your superiors and work with them [effectively] is something I definitely took with me from the paper.”

Even those who graduated decades ago say their Rubicon experience was invaluable. Dave Kansas ’85, now a columnist for the Wall Street Journal, says his experience on the paper encouraged him to consider journalism as a career. “In 1984, we did a special national election edition, and our hometown senator, Walter Mondale, was running against Ronald Reagan.

I drew the straw to write the story in support of Reagan, which put me in the minority for Minnesota,” Kansas recalls. “The Rubicon really taught me to write and report about issues. It was a very fun experience, and I think that was one of the things that attracted me to journalism.”

No matter what students go on to do, Campbell hopes that they take away broad lessons from their Rubicon experience—and not just fond memories of the 3-D issue that made waves. “I hope students don’t ever lose the sense that they have the right to get in the middle of things and ask questions,” she says. “I want them to understand that they need to research, to have a critical mind, to investigate things they don’t understand.

They need to be a passionate advocate for things that are important to them. I want them to understand the power that they have.”

Rachel Wilensky ’10 (left) in The Rubicon staffroom during her tenure as editor-in-chief. “I realized that if something was wrong, it will make a difference to people, and you’ve got to stay on top of that.” spring 2011 | SPA

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Puzzles, Paradoxes, and Play: Three Alumni/ae Inventors

By SASHA ASLAniAn ’86

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John Tate ’42 still remembers a math problem he missed as a 9th grader at St. Paul Academy. His algebra teacher was quizzing the class on prime numbers, “and he caught me on 91,” Tate says. “I guessed it was a prime, but as you may realize, it’s actually seven times thirteen.”

In a way, Tate says, he felt honored that the teacher challenged him, “but I was really annoyed that I didn’t get it,” says Tate, who went on to essentially invent modern number theory, leave his name on dozens of mathematical concepts, and earn the 2010 Abel Prize, considered the Nobel Prize of mathematics.

Reyn Guyer ’53, who invented both the Nerf ball and the game Twister, had a different path through the Academy.

“My career at SPA was not distinguished,” says Guyer.

“I really didn’t do things the normal way.” It wasn’t until he finished SPA and graduated from Dartmouth College that he discovered why: Guyer is dyslexic. But his ability to think differently and intuitively has helped him see opportunities to create and innovate in areas from games to country music.

Karen Hsiao Ashe ’72 was the only girl to test in to the top math class for 10th graders in 1969, the first year after St. Paul Academy and Summit School merged. Her math teacher sat with his new student at lunch in the cafeteria one day and remarked, “All the great mathematicians in the world have been men and maybe there’s a reason for that.” Ashe didn’t shy away from his challenge. “I just had to prove that girls could do it,” she says with relish.

“I beat all the guys and I got the best math score in 10th grade.” Now, she’s one of the world’s foremost researchers on Alzheimer’s disease.

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SPA | spring 2011

Ami Berger

Despite their different fields, these three alumni/ae inventors share a common background grounded in the academic rigors of SPA. They spoke candidly about the talent, drive, teamwork, and luck that’s brought them to where they are today.

“The utmost bound of human thought”

John Tate ’42 As a student, John Tate was not accustomed to missing many math problems. The son of a prominent experimental physicist at the University of Minnesota, Tate took to mathematics at an early age. “I don’t know why, but I’ve just been fascinated—and have been since I was very young—with math.” Tate likens it to solving puzzles, but the mathematics he contemplates is deeper. His field is number theory, which he thinks of as “God’s puzzles.”

The Princeton and Harvard graduate discovered his strengths weren’t necessarily in speed, or solving existing problems; his forte was thinking of new directions and discovering new problems to solve. Many of his discoveries took place during his 36-year career as a professor at Harvard University; after leaving Harvard, he taught and researched at the University of Texas at Austin for another 20 years. Many of his contributions to the field bear his name, including the Tate module, Tate curve, Tate cycle, Hodge-Tate decompositions, Tate cohomology, Serre-Tate parameter, Lubin-Tate group, Tate trace, Shafarevich-Tate group, and Néron-Tate height.

In the world of math Tate is a rock star, but most of us can’t hear the music. In an interview broadcast on Norwegian television after he was awarded the Abel Prize in Oslo, Tate described the vexing isolation of his cerebral field. “It’s just beautiful. Unfortunately it’s only beautiful to the initiated, to the people who do it. It can’t really be understood or appreciated much on a popular level the way music can. You don’t have to be a composer to enjoy music, but in mathematics you do. That’s a really big drawback of the profession. A non-mathematician has to make a big effort to appreciate our work; it’s almost impossible.”

For Tate, however, reaching new frontiers in mathematics didn’t feel like work. He disagrees with the Thomas Edison maxim that genius is one percent inspiration, and ninety-nine percent perspiration. “It’s not work!” says Tate, “ if it’s what you want to do! I think that’s why I was so successful. I enjoyed doing it.”

During a January 2011 visit to SPA, John Tate ’42 stopped in to talk with Upper School math teacher Bill Boulger, who showed Tate a math textbook belonging to John DeQ. Briggs, SPA’s headmaster during Tate’s time as a student.

Newly retired in his mid-80s, Tate is quick to point out that his retirement only means that he’s retired from teaching. “I’m still solving!” he says. He still thinks about mathematics, but he’s not really expecting to solve any more big problems. He says he’s “overawed” by what the young minds in his field are doing today. “Mathematics marches on.

And it still fascinates me,” says Tate. None of Tate’s three daughters has followed in his mathematical footsteps, but he has a grandson who’s very keen. “It might have skipped a generation,” he observes. spring 2011 | SPA

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Breaking rules and spreading fun:

reyn Guyer ’53

jump from point A to point F while others were going A to B to C,” Guyer remembers.

In 1963, while working on a shoe polish promotion for his father’s design company, Reyn Guyer came up with the idea of creating a game where people would be the game pieces on the board. It was the first inkling of Twister, a game that would become Game of the Year just four years later. “Twister was breaking something of a social more, in that people in social situations were not really accustomed to being that close to one another,” says Guyer. 3M passed on Twister. Sears thought the game was too risqué for its catalogue. Milton Bradley picked it up, but planned to scrap it soon after release: the company reconsidered after Johnny Carson and Ava Gabor entertained America by playing the game together on The Tonight Show (see photo below).

Over the past five decades, he’s leapt across a wide array of creative pursuits: games, painting, sculpture, musicals, children’s entertainment, educational tools, and most recently, country music. He and his daughter, Ree Guyer Buchanan, now run a small music publishing company in Nashville called Wrensong. Wrensong has had two Country Music Association songs of the year, including “Whisky Lullaby” in 2004, sung by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss. That too broke rules. “It’s a dirge!” says Guyer, “And it’s over three minutes, and it’s a very sad song, but it had an emotional message that apparently a lot of people could relate to.”

Courtesy NBC

Guyer’s ability to find opportunities to break rules and innovate wasn’t necessarily an advantage early in his life; his undiagnosed dyslexia made him think he wasn’t very smart. But when he began working in his father’s design agency after college, a light went on. “I began to realize in meetings that I understood things more rapidly than others did, and that intuitively, I was able to

Guyer doesn’t have any one invention he’s proudest of, he says, because he’s always thinking about the next one.

He currently has a new lawn game in development called King’s Court, which, according to Guyer, breaks the rule that lawn games need to be a solo enterprise: “I really don’t like croquet. I think it’s boring,” he says. “People are all over the lawn and nobody knows what the other person’s doing.”

King’s Court involves teams and strategy, and he’s hopeful others will find it as fun as he does. “When we’re done, I think it will be one of the leading lawn games.”

He has two pieces of advice to young inventors. Rule number one: make things. “If you think you have an idea, your job is not finished until you have one that other people can see, feel, hear or whatever you’re attempting to do,” he says.

Rule number two: don’t assume you have to do it alone.

“Very rarely are ideas hatched sitting around waiting for the idea to hatch,” says Guyer. “When you have a team of two, three, four people, the ideas multiply and you work off of each other.

And if the atmosphere amongst the team is open and tolerant of criticism,” Guyer says, “something will come out of it. It almost always does.”

“Very rarely are ideas hatched sitting around waiting for the idea to hatch. “ –reyn Guyer

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SPA | spring 2011

Courtesy Reyn Guyer

The success of Twister showed Guyer how new inventions could successfully break rules, and he found ways to break more of them. In 1968, while tossing chunks of foam around the office inventing a caveman game, Guyer’s team came up with the Nerf ball—a ball that could be thrown in the house!

“Talk about breaking the rules,” Guyer says with a laugh.

Scott Streble

Karen Hsiao Ashe has relished solving paradoxes ever since she encountered her first one as a little girl. “I happened to be really good at math, but I kept hearing people saying that girls weren’t good in math. And I wanted to resolve that paradox. Was I just a freak? Maybe I wasn’t really a girl?” she says a laugh. “Maybe I was a boy?”

Solving the paradox of Alzheimer’s Disease:

Ashe’s mother looked all over the Twin Cities to find a school where a girl could take high-level math and science classes, and St. Paul Academy and Summit School was the only one. Karen and her three younger siblings became the first Asian students to attend the school, and Ashe notes that all four benefited from the scholarships offered by SPA. Her academic path would take her through Radcliffe College, Harvard Medical School, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned her doctorate.

Karen Ashe ’72

The paradox that consumed her early in her career came while working in Stanley Prusiner’s neuroscience lab in San Francisco. They were investigating prion diseases, like mad cow disease. Some prion diseases were inherited, and some were infectious. How could a disease be both?

One day in the early 1980s, as they were winding down their work in the neurology ward, Prusiner told Ashe, “I have a secret but it’s not going to be secret too long.” He had found the gene that encoded the prion protein he had discovered.

“My heart started beating really fast because I realized, ‘this is how you could solve the paradox’,” says Ashe.

Ashe went hunting for gene mutations. “Back then it was difficult to clone and sequence. It was really hard work,” she says. But her perseverance paid off: she found the first mutation ever found in any inherited neurogenerative disease.

The next step was to put the mutated gene into a mouse, an experiment that resulted in a tremendous discovery: the mouse injected with the mutated gene actually came down with an illness that mimicked the one resulting from an injection of actual prions.

Ashe had resolved the paradox. The mouse became known as the “Hsiao Mouse,” and Prusiner’s lab went on to win the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1997 for the prion work.

The resulting fanfare around the Hsiao Mouse was a little embarrassing for its namesake, even though Ashe had given

it a proper lab mouse name (the mouse is formally known as “Tg2576”) and Ashe herself had begun to use her married last name. “My father’s still very proud of the ‘Hsiao mouse,’ though,” says Ashe with a smile.

In 1992, Ashe moved back to Minnesota, where she now directs the N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care at the University of Minnesota and holds endowed chairs in neurology and neuroscience. Her current paradox: Alzheimer’s disease. “For some reason, this disease attacks everything that makes us human: our memories, our thoughts, our emotions,” says Ashe. “It’s intellectually fascinating to me: how could a disease be so specifically targeted to these areas of the brain?”

Her lab has developed mice who mimic the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease in what’s considered the “silent phase” of the disease in humans. Ashe and her research team have also identified a brain protein responsible for memory loss, which Ashe named A-Beta Star. “We still don’t have this paradox fully resolved,” says Ashe, whose goal is finding both the trigger and a way to shut off the onset of Alzheimer’s. “It’s such a huge public health problem, and my belief is that we can prevent it, particularly if we focus on this silent phase of the disease,” she says.

Ashe turns this puzzle over in her mind constantly, looking forward to each breakthrough. The breakthroughs themselves, however, aren’t what she’s proudest of: her real accomplishments, she says, are her teams and the collaborative work they do. “I’ve had collaborators all over the world—some of the most talented scientists—who have helped me,” she says. “You can’t do this work on your own.”

spring 2011 | SPA

21

Alumni/ae news

Alumni/ae Council Update: Annual Fund Committee The Alumni/ae Council’s Annual Fund committee has a lofty goal for the rest of this fundraising year: raise SPA’s alumni/ae participation rates. SPA lags behind peer schools in terms of the percentage of alumni/ae who give to the school each year.

Mike, Hilary, and Matt have organized a cohort of alumni/ae from the classes of 1981-1995 that has been contacting classmates in an effort to encourage alumni/ae giving. As an incentive for alumni/ae to consider a gift, a matching gift of $5,000 has been offered anonymously by an alum for the participation challenge; the $5000 will be contributed to the Annual Fund if the Classes of 1981-1995 increase their participation to 20% by June 30, 2011.

At the end of the challenge, the class year with the

Greg Helgeson

Mike Ristau ’85, who chairs the Annual Fund committee along with fellow Alumni/ ae Council members Hilary LeBon ’91 and Matt Nelson ’93, is planning on changing that. “Last year only about one out of seven alumni/ ae made a contribution, and we can do better,” says Ristau, who joined the Alumni/ae Council in 2010.

Ristau is also a current SPA parent with children in the Classes of ’13 and ’16. “As a parent and a member of the Alumni/ae Council, I have learned quite a bit about how the school functions, and the challenges and opportunities it faces,” he says, “and I’ve also

learned how critical the Annual Fund is to maintaining the quality of the SPA experience.

Every single SPA alum was supported by the Annual Fund in some way, whether we knew it or not,” Ristau adds. “Now it’s up to us to take that benefit to the next level.”

highest giving percentage as of June 30 will be recognized with a handblown glass trophy created by parent Fred Kaemmer ’88, which will be displayed in the trophy case outside the Head of School’s office.

The winning class will also earn special recognition in the next issue of SPA Magazine and the school’s 2010-11 Annual Report.

Alumni/ae participation rates will also be updated regularly on the SPA website at www.spa.edu/giving.

2010-11 Alumni/ae Council Dutton Foster ’57 Nick Linsmayer ’68 Joe Benson ’68 Phil Stringer ’78 Carol Kayser ’79 Tom Kayser ’80 Mike Ristau ’85 John Patterson ’86 Hilary LeBon ’91 Matt Nelson ’93 Bryan Smith ’94 Kelly Miller Pierce ’95 Maggie Moss ’97 Lisa Stein Rothstein ’99 Emily Whitaker Riddering ’00 Aram Desteian ’01 Lauren Nuffort ’02

AZ Alumni/ae Gathering Head of School Bryn S. Roberts hosted an Alumni/ae and Friends Luncheon on March 5, 2011 at the Royal Palms Hotel in Phoenix, Ariz. A lively group of alumni/ae, donors, and friends joined Roberts and Director of Institutional Advancement Dorothy Goldie ’73 for lunch, socializing, and remarks from Roberts focused on the intersection of education and technology at SPA. “Our alums had very interesting questions about the influence of technology in shaping language, thinking, and writing skills,” says Roberts, who anticipates an increased number of such regional alumni/ae events around the country. For more information about regional alumni/ae events, contact Dorothy Goldie at dgoldie@spa.edu.

Reunion 2010 Recap Reunion Weekend 2010 was a huge success. Hundreds of SPA alumni/ae attended events both on- and off-campus. Visit the SPA Alumni/ae Center at www.spa.edu/alumni to see photos from Reunion Weekend.

John Cunningham ’85 (seated) greets Peter Hart ’85 at the All-School Dinner during Reunion Weekend 2010. View more Reunion photos at www.spa.edu/alumni.

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SPA | spring 2011

A highlight of the weekend was the Merger Symposium, a panel presentation and lecture focusing on the 1969 merger of St. Paul Academy and the Summit School.

The panel was moderated by Head of School Bryn S. Roberts and included remarks from Thomas Read, the Head of School during the merger; Ran Miner, who taught at both St. Paul Academy and the merged school; and alumni/ae David Lilly ’35, Jean Hart ’52, Bruce Lilly ’70, and Ellen Seesel ’70. Watch the video online by visiting the “news” section of the Alumni/ae Center at www.spa.edu>Alumni/ae>News.

Alumni/ae Return to SPA for Speaker Day

Ami berger

Speaker Day session included Dr. Mark Thomas ’87 (above), professor at the University of Minnesota, on the neurological components of drug addiction; and musician Michael Lipset ’05 (below) on the impact of technology and social networking on the music industry.

Ami berger

Ami berger

On March 2, 2011, eleven SPA alumni/ ae spanning three decades returned to campus as part of the Upper School’s 2011 Speaker Day. Speaker Day, held every two years, is a day-long event showcasing speakers addressing a wide range of topics. The event is organized by the Upper School Council, SPA’s student leadership organization.

This year’s event was based on the theme From left: Dr. Melissa Geller ’90, Dr. Ned Patterson ’83, of “innovation.” In the morning, students and Lael Nelson ’02 were among the alumni/ae who watched the film Waiting for Superman, returned to SPA for Speaker Day. attended a keynote address by Twin Cities meteorologist-turned-entrepreneur Paul Douglas, and participated in small-group discussions led by faculty. In the afternoon, students chose to attend two of 21 speaker sessions on topics ranging from politics to social media to neuroscience to hip-hop music; sessions were led by community members involved in entrepreneurial, innovative, and cutting-edge professions. SPA alumni/ae who offered sessions during Speaker Day were Dr. Karen Ashe ’72, Judd Berlin ’75 (via Skype from the Philippines), Dr. Ned Patterson ’83, Dr. Mark Thomas ’87, Dr. Melissa Geller ’90, Tony Sanneh ’90, Hilary LeBon ’91, Lael Nelson ’02, Jory Schwach ’03, Tyler Olson ’04, and Michael Lipset ’05. Read more about the alumni/ae who visited SPA for Speaker Day at www.spa.edu>Alumni/ae>News.

Ned Patterson ’83, a professor of medicine and genetics at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine, spoke to students about genetic innovations and discoveries.

“I was thrilled to participate in Speaker Day because my passion for genetics was first cultivated my senior year at SPA,” says Patterson, who remembers his days in Peggy Keeling Jewett’s advanced biology class as the precursor to his pursuit of a career in genetics.

Patterson was impressed by the students in his Speaker Day session. “The students were fabulous,” he says. “I quizzed them about genetics and evolution and they came up with very insightful answers. They also asked some really astute questions which exemplify the very excellent educational experience that SPA provides.”

Save the Date for Summer and Fall Alumni/ae Events Alumni/ae & Parent Golf and Tennis Event It’s never too early to plan on joining fellow alumni/ ae and parents for SPA’s annual Alumni/ae & Parent Golf and Tennis Event on August 15, 2011. Enjoy a day at the White bear yacht Club on the green or the tennis court, cocktails in the Clubhouse, and dinner with SPA alums, parents, and faculty.

Watch for your invitation in early summer or email alumni@spa.edu for more information.

Reunion Weekend: September 16-18, 2011 Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for Reunion Weekend 2011, September 16-18. The weekend kicks off with the Homecoming football game on the afternoon of Friday, September 16: come cheer for the Spartans as they take on brooklyn Center. On Friday evening, reconnect with classmates at the All-School Dinner.

Saturday will feature the traditional Heritage brunch, the Annual Doubles Tournament, and boys’ and girls’ soccer games. On Saturday evening individual classes ending in 1 and 6 will hold class gatherings.

For more information about Reunion, email alumni@spa.edu or contact your Class Agent. See you at Reunion!

spring 2011 | SPA

23

Philanthropy

Leading the Way to SPA’s Future: The Leadership Giving Society Fall 2010 marked the debut of St. Paul Academy and Summit School’s Leadership Giving Society, a special recognition group for donors making gifts of $2,500 or more. “SPA thrives today because people with a passionate commitment to its success have always stepped forward to lead,” says Director of Institutional Advancement Dorothy Goldie ’73. “Leadership Giving Society members have a wonderful opportunity to advance the school’s mission, prepare for its future, and inspire others to give.”

As of May 2011, the Leadership Giving Society has grown to more than 135 charter members, including parents Leslie and Michael Connelly, whose daughter Brigid ’13 came to SPA in the fall of 2009. “We joined the Leadership Giving Society because we believe so strongly in SPA’s mission,” says Leslie Connelly.

“For us, the act of donating sends the message to the community that we value the school’s outstanding method of educating children, and that we are committed to helping SPA maintain its position of excellence for years to come.”

SPA is proud to acknowledge all members of the 2010-11 Leadership Giving Society. At right are members as of May 16, 2011. A final list of members will be included in the 2010-11 Annual Report reflecting all gifts made by June 30, 2011.

Anonymous James C. and Julia Adams Thomas and Victoria Ademite Jeffrey Ansite and Dr. Malinee Saxena Sally and Peter W. Anson Josephine Bahl Dr. William H. and Donna Barrows Alicia Kunin-Batson and Hayes Batson Carol and Judson Bemis, Jr. Joseph D. and Martha H. Benson David and Dana Berg Reverend Rebecca M. and Timothy B. Blodgett Thomas A. and Michelle Bradley Thomas G. and Janine Braman Henry A. Brandtjen III and Kirstin Brandtjen Conley Brooks, Sr. and Marney Brooks Virginia D. Brooks Molly Priedeman Brown* Brad and Mary Brunell Geraldine and Robert L. Bullard Catherine Myers Buscher and Herbert W. Buscher* John K. Butler Peter M. and Sandra Butler Christopher and Julie Causey Hyung and Kristin Choi John M. and Deborah Christakos Dan and Tracey Citron Paul Citron and Margaret Carlson Citron

Sharon and Augustus Clapp III J. Chris and Linda Coetzee Michael and Leslie Connelly Page and John Cowles III R. George and Holly Crawford Richard and Marilyn Cunniff Dr. Mark T. and Penny Destache Ariel Dickerman John A. and Sara Donaldson Anne and John Dowdle Harry M. Drake John B. and Kirsten Driscoll W. John and Elizabeth Driscoll Susan Engeleiter Alicia Evert Cole M. and Susan Fauver Anne and Litton E.S. Field, Jr. Kevin P. Filter and Rosemary Kessler Olivia and Silas M. Ford III Phillip C. and Jeanne Foussard James A. and Karen Frisell John T. and Sarah Garrett Jay A. and Marcy Gast Gene F. Goetz and Jan Conlin Laurie and Bruce Goldfarb Dorothy L Goldie and Ralph S. Schwartz Andrea and Jonathan Gruber Elizabeth Skinner Guenzel continued on next page

“Be Part of the Equation”: Participation Matters!

Like all independent schools, St. Paul Academy and Summit School raises money each year in support of the Annual Fund. As the 2010-11 Annual Fund year comes to a close on June 30, the focus is on meeting the $1 million Annual Fund goal and on increasing the giving participation rates for all alumni/ae, parents, faculty, and friends.

“Our goal for the rest of the Annual Fund year is to bring SPA’s participation rate up dramatically,” says Annual Fund co-chair Sarah Karon, a current trustee and parent with children in the classes of ’10 and ’13. “Regardless of size, all gifts are important,” Karon says, “since they demonstrate support and appreciation for the school’s mission—that’s what participation fundamentally means. We want to engage the entire community in sustaining SPA.”

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SPA | spring 2011

Two participation challenges are underway: one for current parents and one for alumni/ae in the classes of 1981-1995. Challenge winners will be recognized in the next issue of SPA Magazine and the 2010-11 Annual Report. [For more about the alumni/ae participation challenge, see page 22.—Ed.] To “be part of the equation” in one or both participation challenges, contact Director of Annual Giving Sarah Johnson at sjohnson@spa.edu or visit www.spa.edu/giving to make your gift by June 30.

Thomas and Julie Hall William Hargens and Mary Thompson Linda and Norman W. Harris III Elizabeth and Edwin Hlavka Karen and Christopher Hoffmann Mark Hooley and Anne Larsen Hooley Alan Hooper Stanley S. and Karen Hubbard Ruth S. and John Huss, Jr. Susanne B. and Zenas W. Hutcheson III David and Sharon Jaeger Betty Wold Johnson and D. F. Bushnell Charlotte and D. Ward Johnson, Jr. Michael and Elaine Johnson Lucy Rosenberry Jones Fred C. Kaemmer and Katherine R. Tilney Paul L. and Sarah Karon Dale and Mary Klein Dr. Anders and Sally Knutzen David Kristal and Cristiana Giordano John and Karen Larsen John E. Larsen and Michael Stewart

Matt Larson and Dena Citron Larson Christopher and Angela Larson Steven and Jeannette Levitt Bruce A. Lilly Diane and David M. Lilly, Jr. Perrin and David M. Lilly, Sr. George M. Logan Dr. Keith Lurie and Dr. Barbara Gold Lurie Henry C. and Margaret R. Mackall Fund Thomas and Lorene Magne Scot and Dana Malloy Robert O. and Julie Mast Shane McCarron Reverend Mary McMillan Christopher J. and Cathryn Middlebrook Elzabeth and Ranlet Miner, Jr. Lee R. Mitau and Karin J. Birkeland Paul and Karine Moe Sheila C. Morgan Virginia H. Morris William C. Moyers John M. and Hebe Murphy

Barb Naramore and Steve Cox Eric and Elizabeth Nicholson Todd and Martha Nicholson of the Nicholson Family Foundation Tim and Francine O’Brien Daniel O’Shea and Alexandra Muschenheim Timothy Pabst and Dana Lindsay Michael M. Parish Ann and Nicholas Pifer Louise B. Plank Heather and Sean Ploen Diane and George C. Power III Bryn Roberts and Marcy Jefferson Sandra B. Roe Daniel and Kathryn Rominski Stephen and Kristen L. Rose Brian C. and Carol Rosenberg Hart L. Rosenblatt Margaret and Hugh K. Schilling, Sr. Robert and Kimberly Scott James and Wendy Shapiro Joan L. Shapiro

John Soranno and Michelle Michel Byron and Constance Starns James and Tracy Steiner William Umscheid and Jody Strakosch Gail A. Ward and John C. Smith Herb and Lori Ward David M. and Mary Ann Wark William and Barbara Welke Timothy and Elizabeth Welsh F.T. and Nancy Weyerhaeuser Charles and Julie A. Whitaker Douglas R. and Katherine Whitaker John C. and Susan Whitaker Shannon M. and Steven W. Whitaker Philip and Christina White Walter and Karen White Robert F. and Ann M. Works The Honorable Wilhelmina M. Wright and Mr. Daniel Schmechel Charles A. and Julie B. Zelle *Deceased

For more information about the Leadership Giving Society, contact Sarah Johnson, Director of Annual Giving, at sjohnson@spa.edu or 651-696-1320.

QUESTION: What does it take to prepare a student for what comes next?

Cost to light and heat Randolph campus for one day = $650

K-12 art department budget for one month = $2,400

Wireless network for one day = $67

Yearly subscriptions to research databases and scholarly journals = $13,260

Monthly blade sharpening for Drake Arena Zamboni = $50

Lifelong relationships with master teachers = incalculable

ANSWER: The Annual Fund The Annual Fund supports the research tools, master faculty, day-to-day costs, and spirit of inquiry and engagement that defines SPA. Make your gift online by June 30, 2011 at www.spa.edu/giving.

spring 2011 | SPA

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class notes

cLASS oF 1942 LuncHeon: In January 2011, members of the Class of 1942 gathered for lunch at the Lexington in St. Paul. The occasion for the gathering was a Twin Cities visit by John Tate (standing center in the photo above), in town as the guest of honor at a conference at the University of Minnesota celebrating his distinguished career in academic mathematics [for more on Professor Tate, see the story on page 19—Ed].

The members of the class who attended the lunch were (sitting, left to right) Joseph Elsinger, John Brainard, Bill Bierman; (standing, left to right) Harry McNeely, John Tate, and a guest of Bill Bierman.

Have news to share?

E-mail your news to alumni@ spa.edu or send it to Class Notes, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, 1712 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55105. We look forward to hearing from you!

Become a Class Agent!

Class Agents keep in touch with their classmates and provide updates on SPA happenings.

Class Agents also help with special events and reunions.

All classes welcome additional volunteers and multiple Class Agents are encouraged.

To become a Class Agent, please contact alumni@spa.edu or 651-696-1366.

26

1942

60TH reunion neWS: The Class of 1950 celebrated its 60th Reunion

during Reunion Weekend, October 1-3, 2010. As part of the celebration, the SPA men and the Summit women joined forces for a party on Saturday, October 2. Attending were (back row, left to right) Tom Osborn, Mark Paper, Harry Dilworth, Brad Smith, Dorothy McDonald, Bob Platt, Don Griffiths; (front row, left to right): Lee Driscoll, Judy Lee, Kathy Setzer, Roxy Freese.

1945

cLASS AGenTS:

cLASS AGenTS:

Joseph Elsinger generalanne@aol.com Harry McNeely hmcneely@meritex.com

Edward Bronstien bronson@alum.mit.edu Virginia Stockwell Kinkead dickstock@comcast.net

s John Tate visited SPA for the first time since his graduation.

He toured the school and visited classes, including a math class with Bill Boulger, who showed Tate a math textbook belonging to John DeQuedville Briggs, former SPA headmaster.

A reunion report from Ed Bronstien: “While the numbers are dwindling, the enthusiasm and attendance at our 65th reunion was remarkable. In addition to the school events, the boys had their usual dinner at the home of Dick Bancroft. This year it was a catered gourmet dinner and a real contrast to our past hot dogs and hamburgers. It took 65 years, but the boys finally matured.

The next day we were graciously entertained at a brunch hosted

by Alex Ordway Bjorklund at

her White Bear Lake home.

This included her 1945 classmates also, so the boys and girls had a good time wondering where the last 65 years went. The boys attending included myself, Bob Mairs, John Jackson, Hal Field, Pete Anson, Al Sedgwick, Dick Bancroft, and Laurie Shallenberger.”

In October 2010, Winslow Briggs was elected an Einstein Professor by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Einstein Professorship program annually awards 20 distinguished international scientists the honor. As part of the program, Winslow spent three weeks in China, delivering lectures at six different Chinese institutions in four different cities. Winslow, an

Have news to share?

Become a Class Agent!

Email your news to alumni@spa.edu or send it to Class Notes, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, 1712 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55105.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Class Agents keep in touch with their classmates and provide updates on SPA happenings. Class Agents also help with special events and reunions. All classes welcome additional volunteers and multiple Class Agents are encouraged.

To become a Class Agent, please contact alumni@spa.edu or 651-696-1308.

SPA | spring 2011

international leader in molecular biology research, is Director Emeritus and an active research scientist in Carnegie Institution of Washington’s Department of Plant Biology. Before Carnegie, he was a professor at the Department of Biology at Harvard University, where he also received his A.B., M.A., and Ph. D.

1950 cLASS AGenT:

Brad Smith jbradner575@comcast.net

1951 cLASS AGenT:

Bruce Monick Monick4215@aol.com Jane Adams Canby and husband William Canby ’49 live in Scottsdale, Ariz. Jane is now retired from her role as executive director of the Arizona Family Planning Council. “I’m doing some serious clay sculpture work these days,” Jane reports.

1953 cLASS AGenT:

John Holman copas2@msn.com

s Congrats to Charlie Hauser, who won all four events he entered at the USSA Alpine Masters Western Regional Championships in early February. Charlie, who started racing four years ago, also competed in Nationals in early March.

Cynthia Brackett Driscoll and husband Todd spent Christmas in Massachusetts with their daughter, Julia. They visited her again in June when they went to Todd’s 55th Dartmouth reunion and saw Tom Brackett ’55 on the way.

This summer, they will see Tom again at the Seattle wedding of the daughter of Tom Hoff ’55.

In the fall, Cynthia and Todd plan a 23-day cruise up the Danube.

Laura Floan Boone doesn’t seem to let anything slow her down. She plays lots of duplicate bridge and is piling up points toward Grand Master status, although she says that will take several lifetimes. She has a great gang of friends that also play, and they all went up to Victoria to play in the sectionals. When she’s not bridging, she’s playing golf or hosting overnights for her grandchildren. This winter she spent two weeks in Hawaii leading the same active life. Her only complaint is “the mind works much faster than the body these days.”

Following the May graduation of two grandsons, Marlene Heger Bixby and husband Ned are taking the whole family to Italy for her 75th, to a Tuscan villa near Greve. Easter was spent in Florida with son Tim and his family. Anne visited in the winter. Summer will find Marlene and Ned at Danbury, no doubt hosting a full complement of family visitors.

Ann Luyten Dieperink saw Laura Boone last spring for lunch and had a good time catching up. She reports her big garden in Afton pretty much takes care of itself, although the explosion of the deer population is fierce competition for what it produces.

“We used to love seeing a deer, but not anymore,” Ann says.

With 13 grandchildren there is always something going on with Caco Myers Baillon. She is back and forth to the tennis club and church or taking people to dentist and doctor appointments. Life goes on as usual, she says, and she was looking forward to spring, although this year she and John were gearing up for the expected flood. Their house on the St. Croix will be all right, she reports, but their driveway and access to the house will be covered.

Gail Victor Hogg and Jim spent 10 decompressing days in Palm Springs this winter, watching polo and tennis matches, wandering through the desert swap meet, and attending the Palm Springs

Follies. Another long weekend was spent in San Diego, where Jim had meetings. “We’re still deciding what to do this summer,” she says. Reading will definitely be on the agenda. “I love to read,” Gail says. “Miss Spicer would be so proud of me.”

From Judy Blake: “In the summer it’s the lake, and for not enough of the winter it’s Mexico,” says Judy, who had a harrowing return from Mexico this year. “I arrived back from this year’s trip in the middle of February’s blizzard, after being diverted to Fargo. When I finally got back to Minnesota, my taxi from the airport got stuck twice and I had to be rescued by a friend in a 4-wheel drive truck,” Judy reports. She enjoy the ’53-ers’ periodic class gettogethers, and “the perk of being our correspondent is the chance to touch base with all the class.

It makes the job fun. I’m sorry I couldn’t reach Nicky Benz Carpenter, Mary Dosdall Guyer, Trudy Peet or Carol Daniels.”

1954 cLASS AGenTS:

Polly Cross Olmstead dpolmstead@msn.com Wally Mayo mayowalter@yahoo.com A report from Walter Mayo and wife Anne: “We left snowbound Connecticut for Minnesota with Laurie and Pete Frenzel over Winter Carnival Weekend.

If you would like to:

Stay in touch!

drop by the school for a tour... get involved with Reunion Weekend planning... become a Class Agent... volunteer at the school... ...we would love to hear from you. Call 651-696-1308 or email alumni@spa.edu.

Log on to www.spa.edu/alumni and update your email address in the alumni/ae directory.

spring 2011 | SPA

27

class notes

1954 continued Caught up with Len Johnson and Dave Beadie for a long lunch at the Lex. It hasn’t changed over time, although we had to admit we all have somewhat; the skates and the skis have finally been hung up. We tried for a bigger party, but Hugh Tierney ’55 and Rod Bacon emailed that they couldn’t make it from California.

Dave found George Burr, former teacher and B&B host, now retired in Kennebunkport, Maine. He also tracked down Dick Hoskins doing environmental and other good works in Nevada. John Carpenter and Jamie Slade dropped by for a visit a couple of years ago, and Pete Ward reports that all is well in Montana.

Like many snowbirds, fellow class agent Norb Winter spends increasing time in Florida; hope to see him golfing at Somerset next summer.”

1956 cLASS AGenTS:

Geraldine Kyle Bullard rlbullard@comcast.net Virginia Campbell Low ginnybell@aol.com Vicki Churchill Ford retired from her post of councilwoman for the town of Eastchester in New york in December 2010.

She and husband Si Ford ’55 live in Bronxville.

“Back to Berkeley!” writes Gale Harris. She and husband Ralph Weeks now live most of the year in Berkeley, Calif. “Many family members and friends live in the Bay Area,” Gale says, “and we are enjoying ourselves sailing, gardening, writing, and poking around.” Gale is a writer and Ralph is a consulting geologist “when he’s not sailing,” Gale notes.

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SPA | spring 2011

A report from Finlay Lewis: “The financial turmoil in the newspaper industry resulted in the demise of the Copley News Service, my employer for 20 years.

The CNS Washington bureau, where I covered the White House and national politics after leaving the Star Tribune in 1987, also closed in December 2008.

In January 2009 I began work at Congressional Quarterly as a contributing writer for its flagship publication, CQ Weekly, where I remain.” Finlay and wife Willee live in Washington D.C.

1957 cLASS AGenTS:

Dutton Foster duttonfosters@comcast.net Susan Rose Ward cswsrw@comcast.net A report from Diane Bement Devitt: “We had a busy spring.

Our whole family flew to Oakland, California to see son Tom graduate with a Ph.D. in biology from Berkeley. The next occasion was Tom’s wedding to Susan, a wonderful girl he met at Berkeley who has her Ph.D. in ecology and the environment.” Diane has two grandsons, ages 10 and 8, and a new boyfriend: “Our spouses both died three years ago and a friend introduced us. He is a retired architect and from New york originally and graduated from Columbia University.”

Since retiring in 1991, Don Drew has continued to work as a mathematics tutor for high school students. “It is the most enjoyable work I have ever undertaken: sometimes challenging but always rewarding,” says Don, who lives in Australia with his Australian-born wife Paula. “I love and am proud of my adopted country and its culture,” Don says, “and I have been most fortunate

in having found a rich diversity of experience in employment and travel and in meeting so many truly interesting people from whom I learned about how good life can be. So I am happy with my life as it is. I look forward to continuing to learn and I hope that I may work in the field of education in some practical way for the foreseeable future.”

Susan Fisher Koll writes: “ Life after 70 is wonderful. We are healthy, happy, and we still have all our original parts.” Susan’s husband Larry is still consulting part-time, and the couple are doing a lot of traveling, including recent trips to Alaska and Chile.

Son Mike Ristau ’85 recently returned from a three-year assignment in Brussels and his children Claire Ristau ’16 and and David Ristau ’13 are both students at SPA. “ We are still in our house in Mendota Heights because I’m not ready to give up gardening yet no matter what my knees might tell you,” Susan reports. “We’ve been married for almost 16 years now and our children consider themselves to be brothers and sisters. Dani Koll was married in California last fall and Mark officiated.” Susan also sends this report to her fellow Summit Singers: “Mother [former Summit School music teacher Shirley Fisher] is 95 and living in Naples. She has been blind from macular degeneration for years and is quite frail. She rises to the occasion when we visit and loves to sing and sometimes to even play the piano. She is still beautiful. We feel truly blessed by all the joys in our life.”

Tom Milton is still teaching fulltime at Mercy College. His fifth novel, A Shower of Roses, was published in December 2010.

Grant Nelson continues to teach full-time at Pepperdine Law School and also teaches one course at UCLA Law School.

“After all of these years teaching mortgage law, it has now become one very hot topic,” says Grant.

Grant’s wife Judy teaches junior high honors math and algebra at Our Lady of Malibu School.

Grant also reports that he and Judy “were blessed in February by our fourth grandchild (and first granddaughter). Being a grandparent makes aging much more palatable.”

From John Ratigan: “2010 and our daughter Susan gave us a new granddaughter, Helen Barrosse (named after greatgrandmothers on both sides), to go with her sister, Ruthie, who has just turned six and is feeling quite mature now that she has reached kindergarten. Both Susan’s family and son David live within a few miles of us in the D.C. area, so we are quite fortunate.

I am writing applications for foundation grants for the Arlington Philharmonic, which puts my limited computer skills to a serious test.”

From Tuck Langland: “For the record, of the next generation of my family (two daughters and their husbands), all four have doctoral degrees, of which we are very proud, and they in turn have a daughter each. As for me, since retiring seven years ago from 39 years as a professor of sculpture in England, Kentucky and then in South Bend, I am, at last, a fulltime sculptor, making life-size and larger figurative bronzes for public places. Another major highlight of last year was joining the Liturgical Music Course in London and singing evensongs for a week in Westminster Abbey.”

Barry Whitman reports that “retirement has proven unexpectedly satisfying. I’m no longer obligated to maintain time sheets, as I did for some 31 years practicing law in Rochester, Ny.” Barry’s time is now spent on favorite activities including investing, golf, exercise, and socializing. He lives in Savannah, GA, “a serious climatic change from St. Paul, but a great place to take photos and poke around.”

All is well with Bud Mackey, who wonders if SPA still owns 200 snow shovels: “When people in Kansas City complain about a few subzero days, I become the curmudgeon who recalls a time before the discovery of ‘wind chill,’ and setting dock posts in White Bear Lake in April amid the ice flows,” Bud says.

Marna Schrader Page observes “our seventies really do seem to offer us the chance to use any wisdom and experience in order to help out somewhere, don’t they?” Marna loves grandparenting, and is kept busy with two grandsons; her daughter and son-in-law live close to Marna and husband Robert in Woodside, Calif. “I do what I want most of the time, wear hiking or gardening clothes all day long, and feel happiness more deeply than I used to, when my body and mind were more competent but feelings were more hidden,” Marna says.

Dutton Foster is “just trying to soak up all the beauty and goodness this troubled world has to offer, and maybe spread a little positive karma around as well.”

Classmates who would like to see images of Dutton’s railroad, some paintings, or some stage sets, go to Google images, type PD&Q and look for photos of model trains.

Ellen Widmer is a professor and chair of the East Asian Languages and Literatures program at Wellesley College, where she is also a member of the class of ’61.

“I continue to be amused at the person I was when I went off to Wellesley,” Ellen says. “Trench coats, knee socks and all that: a selfimage formed from Mademoiselle magazine. Now I don’t worry very much about that sort of thing.

I believe at this point I have some idea of who I really am. Don’t need Mademoiselle. Come to think of it, if Mademoiselle still exists it wouldn’t need me either.”

Patsy Spadavecchia still spends a good part of the year in Italy.

“I sold our original Florentine apartment which was just too Florentine,” says Patsy. “It was in an old medieval building (not architecturally interesting) on a narrow street with very steep steps and no chance of an elevator. Time to move and I’ve lucked into a beautiful apartment in a restructured convent in a very nice, quiet neighborhood.”

When not in Italy, Patsy lives in New york City.

Jill Jacobs Klein and husband Harvey are still enjoying Arizona, having moved to Phoenix from Edina in 1970. Jill and Harvey live in Scottsdale in a home Jill designed, and “even after 28 years we still find this home perfect for us,” says Jill, who has three grown children, six grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren, all of whom also live in Arizona. Jill reports that she and Harvey “just enjoy every day of life, now totally engrossed in digital photography. Harvey finally retired from the auto auction business, so we are now planning on enjoying the pleasures of our ‘golden years.’ The future holds many unknowns for us and we look forward to them.”

Tom Mears and wife Joan live in the woods of Wisconsin where they “retired” 12 years ago; Tom continues to practice medicine part-time. Tom reports that he and Joan take great joy in their six grandchildren, located in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Denver, and Houston. Joan also manages a bed-and-breakfast about 10 miles north of Turtle Lake, Wisc., and both are involved in various volunteer activities.

Tom also reports that he went deer hunting for the first time at age 72: “I did not shoot a deer and am still not sure I could,” he says.

Walter “King” Andrews is still working at the University of Washington as professor of Ottoman and Turkish literature, but in an “enviable semiretired” position. King’s current project is developing digital and web-based technologies for humanities research and publication; the work is aimed at creating a new understanding of the scholarly book that King and his team (graduate and undergraduate researchers) hope will combine web and print publication in a way that will make books better and reduce the costs of small press run books. King also continues to write and publish on Ottoman Turkish literature. King’s other interests include golf (“still a 7 handicap”), tennis, running, biking, working with grade school kids at the local Unitarian Universalist Church, and writing and directing children’s drama.

“I love the freedom that not being gainfully employed gives me and the chance to interact with our grandchildren and children, all of whom live close,” King says.

A report from Tom and Sally Patterson: “Since our mutual retirements in 2001, we have

spent our winters in Colorado.

Tom, who developed a skiing passion in college, took up Alpine ski racing in 1986 and competes in the U.S. Ski Association’s Masters series. We have a restored 1873 miner’s house in Georgetown, a Victorian mining town of 1000 which is not a resort but most of which is a National Historic District.

Back in St. Paul, we have been active in city and civic affairs. Much of our volunteer work has been in good government and social service organizations concentrating on those in need of help. Sally has also been active in fund development and philanthropy. She is the current chair of the board of the F. R. Bigelow Foundation which distributes grants in the eastern half of the Twin Cities. We have been involved in historic preservation in both of our home cities. Although we love skiing in Colorado. we remain fervently Minnesotan which we regard as a good thing.”

From Ruth Putnam Huss: “John and I travel a lot—we want to get to places now that are a bit difficult to navigate.” In the past year, Ruth and John have visited Tibet and the Silk Road, Burma, Kazakhstan and the other four “stans,” San Miguel de Allende, New york (to see the SPCO at Carnegie Hall), Burma, and Beaver Creek to ski and visit Tom and Sally Patterson. “In May 2011 Sally and I head to Smith for our 50th reunion—hard to believe!— and then our travels start again in September with a circumnavigation of the Black Sea and more of Turkey,” Ruth reports, although a planned trip to Libya has been cancelled.

“Between travels and board sitting (including the Board of St. Paul Academy and Summit School) my life is very full and interesting.

Can’t give up just because we’re ‘getting up there’!”

spring 2011 | SPA

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class notes

50TH reunion neWS: The Class of 1960 celebrated its 50th Reunion

during Reunion Weekend 2010. As part of the celebration, the SPA men and the Summit women joined forces for a party on Saturday, October 2. Attendees included (front row): Patti Patterson Peterson, Tim Freeman, Walter Sosey, Marci Rose Armstrong Dorau, Jan Goodwin Rupert, Pres West; (second row) Dan Ritchie, Cole Oehler, Bob Parish, Betsy Goldenberg Haimson, Sherry Fifield Lund, Gloria Soderberg Anderson; and (back row) Chuck Girk, Tony Hoff, Mark Krinsky, Jock Irvine, Anne Morton Bray, Bob Greenman, Ellen Rose Blasena, David Brown, Barrie Britton, Tom Mullery.

1960 The Class of 1960 is looking for class agents! Please contact alumni@spa.edu or call 651-696-1366 to learn more.

1961 The Class of 1961 is looking for class agents! Please contact alumni@spa.edu or call 651-696-1366 to learn more.

Pierce and Billie MacKay celebrate their 45th anniversary this year, and are looking forward to seeing classmates at the 50th Reunion in fall 2011.

Cros Sommers and wife Barbara had lunch with Rik von Bergen, his wife Anne Walton Von Bergen ’79, Charlie Platt, and his wife Cathy over the summer of 2010. Cros is retired from the Meridian-Twin Town Treatment Center, where he was a chemical dependency counselor.

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SPA | spring 2011

1964 cLASS AGenTS:

Cindy Schuneman Piper repip2@aol.com John Maher jmaher1@maine.rr.com “Spike and I are continuing to love life in Denver,” writes Nan Eklund.

The Eklunds now have four grandchildren, the latest one born in September 2010 to daughter Kristin. Son Peter was married in a wonderful ceremony in June “and we adore our new daughterin-law,” Nan says.

1965 The Class of 1965 is looking for class agents! Please contact alumni@spa.edu or call 651-696-1366 to learn more.

Robert Sturm returned to an SPA classroom in January to deliver a guest lecture in Upper School history teacher Nan Dreher’s economics class.

Soccer PArenT reunion: Dave O’Brien ’75, Jeff Norton ’76, and Kris Flom ’80 joined other current and former SPA parents of girls’ soccer players for a “soccer parents reunion” in the fall of 2010. Pictured left to right are Doug Hotvedt (father of team member Amanda Hodvedt ’13), Andy Staab and Kris Flom ’80 (Maren Flom-Staab ’10), Jeff Norton and Shannon Norton (Jackie Norton ’10), Kevin Walli and Tani Maruyama (Anne ’10 and Mara Walli ’13), Marci and Dave O’Brien (Kristen ’09 and Jenna O’Brien ’12), and Ellen Shammash (Amanda Hotvedt ’13).

His talk focused on the current state of the economy. “Over the last 15 years, thousands of professionals in the financial services industry have attended my seminars and I enjoyed sharing some of this information with the students in Dr. Dreher’s class,” Robert reports.

1966 cLASS AGenT:

Mike Brown mbrown@spa.edu Judy Leslie Titcomb and husband Dan Titcomb ’71 are empty-nesting in St. Paul, with three kids out of college and one still in. Dan is still working at Pulse Innovation, a medical product design and engineering firm he founded in 2003, and Judy is consulting with a wide variety of firms around town on projects ranging from medical device adoption to improving tech transfer at the University of Minnesota.

1973 cLASS AGenT:

Charles Zelle czelle@jeffersonlines.com Dee Dee Goldie writes that she is really enjoying working at SPA, where she has been Director of Institutional Advancement since July 2010. She encourages any alums from 1973 to stop by the school for a tour! Husband Ralph Schwartz is retired and enjoying lots of skiing and golfing, along with a little substitute teaching and tutoring. Son Max Schwartz ’03 is living in Washington, D.C., working for a solar energy firm, and younger son Sam Schwartz ’08 is in college at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

1977 cLASS AGenT:

Henry Brandtjen hbrandtjen@kluge.biz

Attendees included (above) Emily Greenberg and Julie Burton and (below) Sam Arnold and Mike Ristau.

30TH reunion neWS: The Class of 1980 celebrated its 30th Reunion during

Reunion Weekend, October 1-3, 2010. The class celebrated at their class party on Saturday, October 2. Attendees included (front row on stairs, left to right) Paul Bullard, Debbie Tiffany Quick, Lindsay Frost, Kris Flom; (second row, stairs) John Moody, Bill Driscoll, Gingy Anderson Molacek; (third row, stairs) Andy Ward, Denise Lilyholm Callahan, Heidi Hijikata, Bobby Zelle; (back row, on landing) Chip Hauser, David Bradley, Caragh O’Brien, Helen Slade, Dan Levitt, Carrie Victor Lee, Peter Albrecht, Sheila Delaney Moroney, Hendrie Grant, Kris Schultz, Tom Kayser, Nadia Jabr Short (with face partially hidden), Kathy Spraitz, Geoff Buscher, Merilu Stevenson Narum, Tory Smith Burrows, Cindy Greenberg Kozloff; (front row, arms up) Leslie Sandberg.

This past year was a busy one for Hank Brandtjen. He married Kirstin Johnson, and the couple celebrated the birth of their son, Henry Albert Brandtjen IV, on December 16, 2010. Henry is the sister of Isabel Brandtjen ’18 (now in the 5th grade at SPA), grandson of Henry Brandtjen, Jr. ’46 and Judith Moore Lee ’50 and nephew of Julia Brandtjen Fink ’74. “I think I read somewhere that being in your fifties today is like being in your thirties years ago. Whatever...I am certainly happy as I enter the next chapter of my life,” Hank says.

Catherine Dybiec Holm recently published a new book, My Heart is a Mountain: Tales of Magic and the Land. The collection of short stories also includes one memoir piece.

1980 cLASS AGenT:

Kristin Flom kflom@spa.edu The Class of 1980 celebrated its 30th Reunion during Reunion Weekend 2010 (photo at left).

1985 cLASS AGenT:

Dave Kansas dave.kansas@filife.com Reunion news: The Class of 1985 celebrated its 25th Reunion during Reunion Weekend, October 1-3, 2010. The festivities included an impromptu class gathering at O’Gara’s after the All-School Dinner on Friday night, and the class party on Saturday night at Loring Kitchen.

“Life is really good in Chicago,” writes Emily Greenberg, who was asked to join the Board of Directors for the Greater Illinois Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society this year. “The spring of 2011 marks my 30th year of living with MS and although I am doing very well, I still would like to find a cure for this devastating disease,” says Emily. “If any SPA alums are interested in checking out my web page, please go to www. msillinois.org and type in my name. Hope 2011 is a great year for all!”

Sherri Ettinger writes from Boston: “I gave birth to my second daughter, Maia Kesia, on October 10, 2010. Six-year-old Gabriela is an absolutely adoring big sister; she calls Maia her ‘just-like-me doll’ and, in truth, the similarities in both appearance and newborn temperament are striking. We’re still in Cambridge, Mass., hoping to move this spring as I am getting too old for the four flights up to our condo, but spend several weeks in Minnesota each summer.”

Jamie Hurley loves living in San Francisco, especially the “mild year-round weather, especially this year!” Jamie works in the planning and development division of the Port of San Francisco. “The big news for us is that the America’s Cup is coming here in 2013, and we’re already busy gearing up for it.

I’m not much of a sailor myself, but it should be a fun project to work on.”

Phil Everson has been promoted to full professor of statistics this year at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. He and wife Andrea Stout consider themselves “married with pets,” according to a recent profile of the couple in the Swarthmore Daily Gazette.

Andrea is the director of the Cell and Developmental Biology Microscopy Core at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.

They have a dog Otis and a bird named Nigel.

From Ken Rice: “It was great to see those who came to our 25th reunion last fall, and sitting outside at O’Gara’s Bar and Grill after the all-school dinner was a blast.” Ken and wife Elizabeth are “firmly rooted” in Baltimore, continuing to spend lots of money repairing and now renovating their 100-year-old house. “Our three kids aged 7, 9, and 11 love their activities, mostly athletic and arts, and their school, which has many similarities to SPA. We seem to be in a ‘quiet’ period of easier parenting (out of diapers but not yet teenagers), and have become full-time chauffeurs, sideline cheerleaders, and occasional coaches,” says Ken, who continues to work in commercial real estate.

He encourages any classmates who are in Baltimore or Washington, D.C., to get in touch.

spring 2011 | SPA

31

class notes

1985 continued Cathy Paper is keeping things cooking in the Twin Cities with RockPaperStar, and continues to try to get John Wolf to leave his office when Dave Kansas is in town. Cathy sees Mike Ristau regularly in St. Paul and Jolly Merry and Jennifer Ross-Bruns on Facebook, although “it’s not the same as hanging on Monkey Island,” says Cathy.

Tom Joo continues to enjoy his life as a law professor. He says things are “still going great here in Davis (Calif.) for me and my family.”

Sean Gilshannon writes to say that he has just launched a new venture called InnoDrive Systems.

“It’s a resource management application designed to help an organization make better use of limited resources in executing a portfolio of projects,” says Sean, who also reports that he and wife Margaret are “being run ragged by our kids, Maria (2), Henry (7), and Emma (12). Maria is tearing up the tiny tots soccer league. Seriously, she’s good! Henry is our budding engineer. Emma is our musician.”

Sean sends his apologies for missing the 25th reunion, but reports a recent visit from Daymond Dean, who “conveyed everything I missed. My loss.”

Dave Kansas, wife Monica, and baby son Henry returned to New york from London in early 2011.

“We are enjoying being back stateside, but sometimes miss our fish and chips,” Dave says.

On a recent trip to St. Paul, he spent time with Cathy Paper and Mike Ristau. He also reports that fellow New yorkers Katy Cochrane Carey and Julia Jordan are doing well; Julia recently gave birth to a baby girl.

Steve Levitt’s Freakonomics blog is number five on Time Magazine’s “ 25 best financial blogs” list. Check it out at www.freakonomicsmedia.com.

1988 cLASS AGenT:

Daniel Deuel dhd823@comcast.net In January 2011, Christopher James took a new position as the associate director of public relations at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Before joining the Walker, Christopher was the communications and events director at the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota.

1989 The Class of 1989 is looking for class agents! Please contact alumni@spa.edu or call 651-696-1366 to learn more.

s Dan Citron and wife Tracey are thrilled to announce the adoption of their son, Benjamin Citron, which was finalized in March 2011. Benjamin was also welcomed by big sister Jessica Citron ’18, who is in the fifth grade at SPA.

1990 cLASS AGenTS:

Debbie Lipschultz Goldenberg goldenlips275@aol.com Darren Strafelda darrens@mlazgar.com Marty Chester has been back in Minneapolis for 10 years, where he lives with wife Haley Schaffer and daughters Ella (5) and Sophie (3). “These days my time is pretty much fully occupied by being a dad and a lawyer at Faegre & Benson, but I do find the occasional minute to do important things like use Facebook,” Marty reports.

Jason Kahn lives in Ann Arbor, Mich., with wife Sheila, daughter Renia (4), and newly adopted dog (name TBD). “I am serving as medical director at an internal medicine/ pediatrics clinic in nearby ypsilanti where about half the patients have no insurance.

It’s a great challenge but remains fun,” Jason says.

Katrina Mitchell writes: “Life is fun here in Minneapolis! Over the past two years I have been building my consulting business in international and economic development, working on a range of projects from the Mayor’s Initiative on Green Manufacturing (leading to the recent Thinc.

GreenMSP initiative) to infrastructure development in Honduras. I continue to do research and stay connected to the global movement on integrated waste management, finding ways for garbage scavengers to improve their situation and help cities keep valuable resources from ending up in landfills worldwide.”

Katrina and husband Jud Kilgore will celebrate the first birthday of daughter Luna Adele Mitchell Kilgore in May.

s Tony Sanneh, pictured with Upper School math teacher Jim McVeety, was one of 11 alumni/ae to return to the school in March 2011 for SPA’s Speaker Day. Sanneh spoke to students about his experiences as a professional soccer player and with his nonprofit organization, the Tony Sanneh Foundation.

(For more about Speaker Day 2011, see page 23—Ed.)

1991 cLASS AGenTS:

Josh Kriesel krieselj@hotmail.com Daniel Bachrach is an associate professor at the University of Alabama, in the Culverhouse College of Commerce. He and wife Julie are the proud parents of five children: twins Eliana and Sam (6), Jacob (4), Jessica (2), and Caleb, born June 15, 2010.

s Alexander and Alex Estrin Dashe welcomed a daughter, Gabriela Berta Estrin Dashe, 32

SPA | spring 2011

in summer 2010. The Dashe family lives in Edina.

Sean Flahaven has been living in New york City for 15 years, working in music and theater. He was just nominated for two Grammy Awards as executive producer of Broadway cast albums. He and wife Allison Mitchell have two sons, Will (3) and Ciaran (1). “Both boys enjoyed the snow this winter!”

Sean says. [photo: SeanFlahaven] Tasslyn Frame Magnusson is senior development officer at Mounds Park Academy.

She and husband Daniel live in Prescott, Wisc.

From Todd York: “Still living and working in Xiamen, China.”

1992 cLASS AGenTS:

Andy Droel adroel@gmail.com Christopher Murphy murphy.chrism@gmail.com Gabe Weschcke and wife Michele live in Woodbury.

“We have three daughters at home now and they are so much fun. Other than that just enjoying life,” Gabe reports.

1993 cLASS AGenTS:

Ben Beach beach_benjamin@hotmail.com John Cosgriff jcosgrif@chicagogsb.edu Mary Dickinson MacDonald mgdickinson@yahoo.com Jim Delaney jdelaney@wedrivebusiness.com

Jim Delaney, a co-founder and former director of the LEAD Project (Leadership Emergence and Development Project), recently launched Engine for Social Innovation, a Minneapolis business that aims to connect nonprofits with teams of young professionals willing to donate their time and skills to undertake large, long-term projects, campaigns, and evaluations.

Jim’s work on Engine for Social Innovation was featured in a MinnPost.com article in February, 2011.

1994 The Class of 1994 is looking for class agents! Please contact alumni@spa.edu or call 651-696-1366 to learn more.

Keren Gudeman was named the 2010 Women’s Soccer Coach of the year by the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). Gudeman has been the head coach of the women’s varsity soccer team at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., since 2006. During the 2010 season, Gudeman led Carleton to its second MIAC regular season title. This is her second MIAC Coach-of-the-year award in just her fifth season at Carleton; she was also honored for her coaching performance during her first season with the Knights in 2006.

SPA’S norDic SKi TeAm: In January 2011, eight recent alumni/ae joined SPA’s Nordic Ski Team on their trip to the Mesabi Race at Giants Ridge to help the team out and cheer them on. Pictured, back row left to right: Andrew Kromroy ’99, Will Brunnquell ’06, Peter Wilson ’08.

Front row left to right: Nordic coach Mickey Scott, Andrew Dougherty ’09, Claire Palmer ’10, Madeline Umscheid ’10, Hayley Peterson ’08.

Not pictured: Kathleen Cann ’08.

1997

1998

cLASS AGenTS:

cLASS AGenTS:

Matt Gollinger mgollinger@hotmail.com Minette Loula mmloula@gmail.com

Dean Maragos dean@valleydentalarts.com Mark Heinert mark.heinert@bestbuy.com Mara Schanfield

Erica Olson is living in Vancouver, British Columbia, finishing her master’s degree in marine ecology and working for an environmental consulting company. Her master’s thesis looks at sea turtle movement in Western Australia and consulting involves working on more local B.C.-related sustainability issues. “ I also try to get into the mountains snowboarding or cross country skiing as much as I can, or onto the ice to play hockey with my beer league team,” Erica says.

Hilary Gebauer completed her master’s in public health nutrition in January 2011. She is currently working as a dietitian with the Emily Program, a Twin Citiesbased treatment program for individuals struggling with eating disorders.

“After getting my master’s in education and school counseling, I am coaching basketball and working in the Boston Public Schools,” writes Mara Schanfield.

“I feel thankful for my SPA education on a daily basis.

I’ve got dreams of moving back to the Midwest...who’s hiring?!”

2001 cLASS AGenTS:

Tiffany Clark tlcpapillon@gmail.com Aram Desteian desteian@gmail.com Jeff Redfern is in law school at Harvard, Class of 2012.

He will spend the summer of 2011 working at Mayer Brown, a law firm in Washington, D.C.

spring 2011 | SPA

33

class notes

2002 cLASS AGenTS:

Sara Cornell scornell@gwu.edu Lauren Nuffort lauren.nuffort@gmail.com Carly Thomford cthomforde@gmail.com Lauren Nuffort graduated from William Mitchell College of Law in May 2010, took the July 2010 Minnesota Bar Exam and was sworn in to practice law in the State of Minnesota in October 2010. She is an associate attorney at Terhaar, Archibald, Pfefferle & Griebel, LLP in Minneapolis, practicing in the areas of general insurance defense litigation and healthcare litigation.

Chase Turner is currently living in Brooklyn, New york, working as a freelance digital and social media strategist while building a startup technology company with a friend. His blog can be found at www.minusmanhattan.com.

2003 cLASS AGenTS:

Brenden Goetz brendengoetz@gmail.com Aleks Sims aleksander.sims@gmail.com Tom Christ kiselblat@gmail.com Karl Baker Olson starred in the Boston-based Huntington Theatre Company’s production of the drama Vengeance is the Lord’s in November and December 2010.

The show performed at the Boston University Theatre.

Brenden Goetz moved to Denver in November, 2010 and has been tutoring and organizing social events for College Living Experience, a transitional

34

SPA | spring 2011

program for college students with developmental and learning disabilities. In May, he heads back up to Leadville, Colo. for another season with Outward Bound. “I am also excited to be leading the SPA Spring Odyssey in Grand Gulch, Utah,” he says.

2004 cLASS AGenTS:

Sarah Anderson smanderson1@wisc.edu Andria Cornell andria.m.cornell@gmail.com

s Tyler Olson was one of 11 SPA alumni/ae to return to the school in March 2011 for SPA’s Speaker Day. Olson spoke to students about his experiences in the business world as an entrepreneur. (For more about Speaker Day 2011, see page 23— Ed.) A blog post by Martha Polk was featured on thehairpin.com in March, 2011. Thehairpin.com is a general-interest blog with writing by, for, and about women.

Martha’s post was entitled “Newman’s Ownly: A Film and Food Experience.”

2005 cLASS AGenTS:

John Adams adamsjackc@gmail.com Lindsay Giese lindsaygiese@gmail.com Hanna Lamb lamb@wustl.edu

Nicole Stennes nes3@cec.wustl.edu Sarah Wald skwald@gmail.com Allison Fricke is planning a backpacking trip to Europe in the spring and summer of 2011, visiting Kamilah Tabb in Sevilla and meeting up with Natalie Beck and Sophie Rupp. She is moving to San Francisco in August 2011 and would be interested in hearing from SPA alums in the Bay Area.

Tim Kraack is graduating from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with a masters of music in May and will be teaching piano at St. Joseph’s School of Music in St. Paul starting this fall.

Jackie Shydlowski and Callie Titcomb are both working at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass. Callie is a member of the medical oncology department, which offers more than 400 adult and pediatric therapeutic clinical trials each year. Jackie is a member of the Institute’s donor relations team, within the Division of Development and The Jimmy Fund, the principal charity of the Institute.

s Samson Finkelstein earned his degree in structural engineering from the University of Minnesota, and then went on a five-week engagement with Circus Krone in Munich, Germany, performing his trapeze act.

Samson was the subject of a feature article in Civil Engineer, the magazine of the Department of Civil Engineering at the U. The photo above ran with the feature, showing Samson at left and with his trapeze partner, Shannon Maguire, at right.

2007 cLASS AGenTS:

Etonde Awaah tonders@math.com Nicholas Rosenbaum nicholas.rosenbaum@yale.edu Derek Schaible derek.schaible@gmail.com

2006 cLASS AGenTS:

Lien Bui lbui@gustavus.edu Alex Gast a-gast@northwestern.edu Marjahn Golban mgolban@wellesley.edu Henry Parker hparker@bates.edu Arielle Bear lives in Brookline, Mass. She is a graduate student at Emerson College in Boston.

s Natalie Albertson will graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 2011. “I was the Brigade Character officer first semester and the 5th Battalion Training officer second semester,” Natalie writes. “I finished my swimming career as the captain of the 2011 Navy Women’s Swim Team. We defeated Army for the 22nd straight year and had an undefeated season, going 12-0

on the year. I have been selected to be a Navy pilot and will report to Pensacola, Fla. in September to begin flight school training.”

s Dan Elchert is a senior at St. Olaf College. He recently participated in a study-abroad program called Global Studies, in which two dozen St. Olaf students traveled to Switzerland, Turkey, Egypt, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, and South Korea.

Saijen Weihe is working on her Bachelor’s in music in vocal performance at the University of Minnesota and singing with various choral groups and chamber ensembles around the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

“I also recently got a pet dove!”

Saijen reports.

After a summer in Beijing serendipitously spent with Ashlee Fukushi ’09, Nick Rosenbaum is heading into his seventh month living in Taipei, Taiwan, “ostensibly taking a year off to study Chinese, but really just eating too much good food and making friends from halfway across the world,” Nick says.

Next year he’ll return to yale for his senior year.

Mark Battles will graduate from George Washington University in the spring with a B.S. in biology. He plans a year off to work and then applying to veterinary schools.

Catherine Clark is a senior at Princeton University. During her time at Princeton, she has traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam, to study the Vietnam-American War; to St. Petersburg, Russia, to study avant-garde art; and to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to present a proof-of-concept satellite design with one of her classes.

She is currently working on designing and building a smallscale, on-site recycling machine for polystyrene cups.

Reshad Amini transferred from St. Olaf College to the University of Washington-Seattle.

Elise Butler served on the National High School Institute (NHSI) staff at Northwestern University over the summer of 2010. The National High School Institute is a prestigious program where students of print, online, and broadcast journalism study with expert instructors.

Elise is currently attending the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern and is an alumnae of the NHSI, which she attended the summer before her senior year at SPA.

2009 cLASS AGenTS:

s Ali Hussain is the winner of a 2010 Marshall Scholarship, one of 40 Americans chosen for two years of graduate study in England. Hussain will study for an M.Phil. in politics at Oxford University beginning in September, 2011. Hussain also received a Harry S. Truman Scholarship in recognition of his academic achievements, leadership, and commitment to a career in public service.

Ali is a senior at Cornell University, where he is majoring in government.

2008 cLASS AGenTS:

Jessie Garretson jesspiperg@gmail.com Nolan Filter lilbddh@yahoo.com Vanessa Levy vanessalevy1@yahoo.com

Colin Cowles colin.cowles@gmail.com Grace Ferrara gferrara@pugetsound.edu Atsuko Fukushi fuku0035@umn.edu Andrew Magne amagne@usc.edu Elizabeth Moertel emoerte@emory.edu Alexander Van Orsow, who attends the University of Wisconsin at Madison, is the recipient of an Undergraduate Achievement Award for excellence in German coursework at the intermediate level. Alex’s award came with a $200 cash prize.

2010 The Class of 2010 is looking for class agents! Please contact alumni@spa.edu or call 651-696-1366 to learn more.

s On February 27, 2011, Annie Hart (pictured above, second from right) completed her first collegiate cross country ski season for Dartmouth College.

Annie was named female “Rookie of the year” by the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA), and was also named to the EISA All East Women’s Team.

Highlights of Annie’s season included 3rd and 5th place finishes in the women’s 15K classic mass start events at the Dartmouth Carnival and EISA Championships, respectively.

Annie’s pink hair is a tradition for freshman on the women’s ski team in connection with the Dartmouth Carnival.

An Open House in memory of Frances Welke was held in December, 2010. Dozens of recent alumni/ae, current students, and current and former parents gathered at SPA to make catbeds for donation to the Humane Society where Frances volunteered. Frances’ mother Barbara, father William, and brother Wilder Welke ’08 expressed the following thanks to the community: Thank you to SPA and to the many who were able to join us for the Open House in memory of Frances on December 28. We made 130 bright, soft, polar-fleece cat beds to donate to the St. Paul Animal Humane Society. The event meant a great deal to our family. Frances loved SPA and had a deep commitment to the work of the Animal Humane Society where she was a volunteer.

Thank you—the Welkes.

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in memoriam

1929 Janet mayo Biddle died April 23, 2010 at the Life Care Center of Sierra Vista, Ariz.

She was predeceased by her husband Eric Biddle and her daughter Katherine.

Mrs. Biddle was the sister of Rosamond Mayo Lloyd ’42 and the late Walter Mayo ’29.

1936 John ramsey Borchert died November 28, 2010. He was a 1940 graduate of the University of Minnesota and served as a first lieutenant aboard the USS New Mexico flagship during World War II. He was the president of Associated Equipment Distributor and the owner and operator of Borchert - Ingersoll Inc. He was preceded in death by wife Jeane and is survived by children James Borchert ’68, Ellen Borchert Bahr, Ann Borchert Rosen, and Peter Borchert; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Lois riedel martin died September 8, 2010, of natural causes at her home in a retirement community near Santa Cruz, California.

Before moving there in 2009 to be closer to most of her grandchildren and her one great-grandchild, she lived for over 30 years in Raleigh, NC. She was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, where favorite companions included her two brothers, the late Harley Riedel ’35 and the late Roy Riedel ’39. After graduating from Summit School and Smith College,

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she married Fowler W. Martin Jr., of Seattle, Wash., and became a Navy wife, moving frequently for the next 33 years as Fowler advanced up through the ranks, eventually retiring as an admiral in the Navy Supply Corps. Lois and Fowler had been married for 63 years when Fowler died in 2006. She is survived by her son, Fowler W. (Skip) Martin III; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Wendy Woolson.

1942 William A. Bierman died April 28, 2011.

After graduating from St. Paul Academy, he served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II and attended the University of Minnesota School of Law. He is survived by his wife, Janice; children, Bill Bierman ’68, Ann Syverson, and Richard Bierman; seven grandchildren; and brother, Jim Bierman ’45.

1943 catherine clark Kroeger, New Testament scholar, author, and a leading figure within the biblical egalitarian movement, died February 14, 2011 after a brief illness.

A resident of Brewster, MA, she was born in 1925 in St. Paul, MN. After attending the Summit School, she graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1947 and married her husband of 60 years, Richard Clark Kroeger, in 1950. They served together in ten pastorates in five states. After raising five children she resumed her education, receiving a Ph.D. in classical studies in1987 from the University of Minnesota, and was on the faculty at Hamilton College and then at Conwell Theological Seminary,

where she taught from 1990 until her death.

She authored, co-authored, or edited thirteen books, including The IVP Women’s Bible Commentary. She held membership of the American Academy of Religion, The Society of Biblical Literature, and the Evangelical Theological Society, and was cited in Helen Kooiman Hosier’s 100 Christian Women Who Changed the 20th Century. She received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Houghton College in 2004. She is survived by her five children, Paul Kroeger, Robert Kroeger, Elizabeth Kroeger Elliott, Marjorie Kroeger, and Mary Kroeger, as well as their spouses and 10 grandchildren. She is also survived by her two sisters, Betty Clark Blank ’41 and Helen Clark MacGregror ’45.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, in November, 2010.

1944 mary Stringer Wilson died February 17, 2011. Surrounded in her home by the love of her children and grandchildren, Mary was finally released from the pain of a recently diagnosed cancer. She was born and raised in St. Paul, attended Summit School and Wellesley College, and then returned to St. Paul to raise her family with her husband Perry Wilson. In the early 1970’s, Mary and her longtime friend, Billie young, traveled to Mexico to bring some of the crafts and arts back to Minnesota. Their Old Mexico Shop, in business for over 21 years, has often been credited with instigating the retail success story that is now Grand Avenue in St. Paul.

Mary’s true legacy however, is the dignity, love, and grace with which she led her life.

She was open and warm to all and has a network of friends across the country.

Her summer home at Bass Lake was the gathering spot for family, extended family, and friends. Mary is survived by her four children, Perry Wilson ’72, Harriet Wilson, Ruth Wilson Holm, and Sarah Wilson Johnston ’77; seven grandchildren; and her siblings, Harriet Stringer Chapman ’45, Anne Stringer DeCoster ’51, and Edward Stringer ’53. She was the daughter of the late Philip Stringer ’17.

1947 Frank C. Gardner died October 31, 2009.

He was a business owner, retired lawyer, and fourth-generation farmer. After graduation from Yale University in 1951, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a captain in the Korean conflict. After the war, he attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1956.

Foregoing a career with a large corporate firm, he chose to return to Miami where he became corporate counsel for a Miamibased airline and maintained a private law practice in Miami for many years. At the same time, he began a number of successful business ventures. He was an avid reader, accomplished tennis player, and expert fisherman. He loved his home on Nantucket Island and spent a great deal of his leisure time there with family and friends. He is survived by his children Beau Gardner, Courtney Berry, and Peter Gardner, and four grandchildren.

1949 Robert Earl Platt died December 28, 2010.

After graduating from St. Paul Academy, he attended Carleton College and the University of Minnesota. A lifetime St. Paul resident, he was a founder of Knox Lumber Company and ran the Robert Platt Advertising Agency. He was an active parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Paul and served as a foster parent and mentor for most of his adult life. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Platt, Sr. and Ruth Earl Platt, and brother, Lawrence Platt Jr. ’43. He is survived by his son, Christopher Otto; sister-in-law, Laura Dean Platt ’41; nieces Robin Platt Roderick ’64, Märta Silber, Nancy Platt Jones ’67, and Katherine Platt ’68; nephews, Timothy Platt ’66, William Jones, and Stephen Platt; as well as a granddaughter, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many foster children.

1950 Peter Boalt Christian died January 31, 2011, in Georgia. He is survived his children Charlie Christian, Andrew Christian, and Nancy Gibbons; friend, Chris Chatham; one sister; and seven grandchildren.

1951 Herbert W. Buscher died March 26, 2011.

He is survived by loving wife of 55 years, Cathy Myers Buscher ’51; children, Mari Buscher Romero ’76, Stephen Buscher ’79, Geoffrey Buscher ’80, and Andrew Buscher ’83; and seven grandchildren.

He was an avid skier and resident of Snowmass Village, Colo. for 20 years.

1957 Andrea Bechik Plaugher died November 15, 2010, in Palm Springs, Calif. She was preceded in death by her parents, Florence and Anthony Bechik (who was a Summit School Board of Trustee member member from 1954-1960), and her brother Michael Bechik ’59. She is survived by daughters Bari Fennell and Dawn Fisher, and her sister Vicki Bechik Hickman ’63.

Irwin Warren, creator of some of the nation’s most successful advertising campaigns, passed away at his home in Manhattan on December 11, 2010, at the age of 71. He was born in St. Paul in 1939, and credited St. Paul Academy, where he completed high school, with developing in him the writing skills and intellectual rigor that he regarded as the keys to his success.

He attended the University of Minnesota, but left before graduating to begin his career. During an advertising career spanning more than 40 years, he worked at Doyle Dane Bernbach, BBDO, and other leading agencies, before moving to McCann Erickson, the world’s largest advertising agency, where he retired as senior creative director in 2006. Notable campaigns and clients included Major League Baseball, Johnson & Johnson, Nestle, Unilever

(“I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter”), Lowe’s, Campbell’s Soup and Volkswagen.

The elegant simplicity of his VW ads for DDB in the late 1960’s earned their inclusion in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent advertising collection. One of his favorite campaigns was the long-running, very popular “Taster’s Choice Couple” series that ran in the late 1990’s. Each new installment generated extensive publicity, usually including an exclusive Today Show interview with Warren, who unveiled the latest 30-second plot twist. After recruiting Johnson & Johnson to McCann, Mr. Warren designed a campaign which advanced no products, but stressed the company’s involvement with families, and dealt with such subjects as getting children to laugh; encouraging them to try to achieve; and dealing with being different. One McCann colleague recalled Warren as both brilliant and stubborn, and enormously loyal to his clients and his friends. Outside of work, he served as an energetic fund-raiser and board member of Riverside Park on New York’s West Side. He was a voracious reader and a knowledgeable collector of antique furniture.

He is survived by his brothers, Adrian Warren, Robert Warren ’66, and Joel Warren ’66; his niece and nephew Rachel and Alex Warren, and his godchildren Chris, Oie, A.J., and Molly McKennan.

1958 Dr. Philemon C. Roy Jr. died January 30, 2011, after a long journey with Alzheimers disease, surrounded by his family. As a partner of St. Paul Surgeons, he served the Twin Cities community for over 25 years. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1962 and the University of Minnesota Medical School in 1966. After completing his surgery residency, he served in Vietnam. He loved his family, embraced the outdoors, and enjoyed working with his hands. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara (nee Blanch); daughters Jennifer Roy ’84, Heidi Hubbard, and Elizabeth Roy Jenkyn ’90; son, Chris Roy; eight grandchildren; and sisters, Barbara Roy Hanssen ’57 and Alice Roy Krane ’64.

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In Memoriam

1962 Caleb Foote V died November 3, 2010, of a rare leukemia. Born in California, his family moved to St. Paul where his father became the minister of Unity Church.

He attended St. Paul Academy and thoroughly enjoyed military school, sports, and friends. Summers were spent with extended family in Southwest Harbor, Maine.

Caleb married Susan Bartlett in 1965, and they raised two children, Rebecca and Ben. Caleb graduated from Harvard in 1966, and received his M.D. from Case Western Reserve in 1970. After an internship in surgery at U.C. San Diego, he spent two years as medical director of a clinic for migrant farm workers in Delano, Calif. The family moved to Berkeley in 1973, where Caleb practiced emergency medicine at Kaiser Hayward. After 15 years in the ER, Caleb helped create and was chief of the Division of Sports Medicine and Medical Orthopedics at Kaiser Union City. Caleb and Susan divorced in 1987, but share the legacy of a wonderful family. In 1988, Caleb met his future wife, Laurie. They shared a loving partnership for over 22 years. Caleb retired at 60, after 30 years at Kaiser. He embraced life fully and will be remembered for the twinkle in his eye, his warm smile, welcoming voice, and big hugs. Caleb is survived by his wife, Laurie Goodfellow, his children, Rebecca Clark Greenwald and Benjamin Eliot Foote; and four grandchildren.

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1977 Jeffrey C. Warlich died March 18, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer.

After graduating from St. Paul Academy and Summit School, he attended Colgate University and spent much of his career at J.P. Morgan Chase. He was preceded in death by father, Eugene M. Warlich, and is survived by his wife, Kim; daughters Kelly, Ali, and Jaime; mother Andy; previous wife Catherine; sisters Kathryn (Tom) Kromroy and Karen (Morgan) Nelson; and nieces and nephews.

1984 Mark N. Normandin died in April, 2011.

After graduating from St. Paul Academy and Summit School, he attended the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and received his MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He is survived by wife Carson C. Melder, daughter Marie E. Normandin, mother Veta Normandin and brother Bob Normandin. He was preceded in death by his father, the late Larry Normandin. He is also survived by a loving extended family from Greece and many dear friends.

Friends Elisabeth W. “Betsy” Doermann died January 22, 2011, of lung cancer after a two-year illness. She and her husband Humphrey sent all three of their children— Elisabeth Doermann ’75, Eleanor Doermann ’77, and Julia Doermann ’79— to St. Paul Academy and Summit School, and they were both loyal and passionate supporters of SPA; she was an active member of the SPA Parents’ Association, and her husband served on the school’s Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2006. She attended The Winsor School, Vassar College, and the Harvard-Radcliffe Program in Business Administration, a certificate program of the Harvard Business School that existed before women were admitted to its regular degree programs. Her first job, as an editor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, helped finance her husband’s graduate degree. During the next two decades she ceased full-time employment to be a wife, mother of three daughters, and community volunteer. From 1979 to 1992 she was the manager of the James J. Hill House, directing the restoration of the house and helping to design its education and visitor tour programs. As a representative of the Historical Society, she also served as secretary of the Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Board, a statechartered commission with representatives from the city, county, and state governments and other partner organizations. In a special award in 1999, the Minnesota chapter of the American Institute of Architects recognized her early planning work, completed prior to the design and construction of the new Mill City Museum. She is survived by her husband, Humphrey, her three daughters; one granddaughter; and her sister.

The Last Word

Year One: Reflections on St. Paul Academy and Summit School Nan Dreher, a new Upper School faculty member in the Department of History and Social Studies, looks back on her first year at SPA. Scott Streble

It was the middle of “winter” in Los Angeles when my husband told me he’d been offered a promotion, and we were moving to the Twin Cities. I was willing to sacrifice my year-round roses and backyard lemon tree, but as an experienced and committed independent school teacher—at the time, I was teaching at Los Angeles’ Brentwood School—I wondered if I would be able to find a compatible academic home in Minnesota. I polled some colleagues with Midwestern ties, and they all mentioned St. Paul Academy and Summit School. As luck would have it, a faculty position in history with a focus on economics (my specialty) opened up at SPA that spring.

My first visit to SPA took place on a brisk Friday in April, 2010. Having just discovered the Caribou Coffee on the corner of Randolph and Fairview, I was already feeling pretty energetic when I arrived, but every person I met that day added to that energy. Everyone—from the fifth-grade tour guides to the Upper School teachers, from the administrators and the parents to the admission staff— was smart, friendly, and eager to show me what a wonderful place SPA was.

“What strikes me the most about SPA’s culture...is how truly focused on learning everyone is. That might seem like an obvious characteristic for a school, but in my experience, it is actually not so common.”

I came away from that first visit with a deep admiration for the thoughtful and deliberate educational philosophies and programs at SPA. After having spent hours of time ineffectively dragging desks into makeshift circles back at my old school, I was incredibly excited to see genuine Harkness tables being used in almost all the Upper School classrooms. And then there’s the spacious wood-paneled History Department office, complete with fireplace, armchairs, and conference table for student meetings. And I wasn’t the only one impressed with the school: at the end of the day both of

my children—who’d been visiting the Lower and Middle Schools—came away begging to attend SPA. I felt the exact same way.

Over the last 20 years, I’ve taught at a wide variety of independent schools: some single-sex, some coed; some with laptops, some without; some with block schedules, some without. Each school has its own culture. What strikes me the most about SPA’s culture, now that I’ve been teaching here almost a year, is how truly focused on learning everyone is. That might seem like an obvious characteristic for a school, but in my experience, it is actually not so common.

Teachers here not only converse about their latest reading finds but post book reviews around the building. Students fill the library after school, do extra reading on their own, and sign up to study for Advanced Placement tests in subjects they aren’t even taking. Teachers team-teach and meet repeatedly to fine-tune their approaches to engaging their students. And that engagement is so much more than just offering a challenging academic experience: it’s about engaging students’ hearts as well as their heads. This shows when my 9th graders share their most-treasured school memories with me: Voyageurs! the kindergarten Hawaii play!

MacbethFest! the Medieval feast! Widji!

In the classroom, I’ve found SPA students to be intellectually agile and not easily thrown by challenges.

Eliminating the federal deficit in a politically realistic way? That only took my senior economics students three days, although one commented, “I understand why people say economists are heartless.” How to resolve the shortage of donated organs?

Not to worry, we have a plan for that. Deciding which ancient Greek continued on page 40

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Scott Streble

The Last Word

“[Student] engagement is so much more than just offering a challenging academic experience: it’s about engaging students’ hearts as well as their heads.”

Year One, continued from page 39

philosopher contributed the most significant ideas? My 9th grade history students engaged in a fairly heated discussion on that until one injected in a calming voice, “You guys, there is no ‘right’ answer!” Researching and designing illustrated PowerPoint presentations on Han dynasty China?

Most of my students had complete drafts by the end of one class.

Of course, these challenges work partly because the adults here do so much to provide the right support.

History teachers take 10th- and 11thgraders on field trips to area college and university libraries to help them find high-level research sources.

And just a few weeks ago, barely 15 minutes after I asked our librarian about a possible new research database, he had already signed up and emailed me an access code. The whole school comes together to celebrate academics, too, like on Pi Day. I expected maybe a quick announcement at assembly, but we prepared for March 14 with a full week of Pi jokes, administrators wearing Pi t-shirts, Middle Schoolers singing Pi songs, and, on the day itself,

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the entire school eating slices of pie all day long. “We’re so geeky,” a fellow teacher commented happily to me.

Of course, I’ve discovered interesting non-academic traditions at SPA as well. Fridays bring Senior Speeches— something other schools do also, but at SPA they come with the quirkiest, most entertaining student introductions I’ve ever seen. (I’m still trying to figure out a few of the more puzzling ones.) Upper School students go off on Odyssey survival trips and actually survive. Everyone paints their faces blue and gold and charges downhill for Homecoming. On a more prosaic level, my 9th-graders offer daily reviews of our sometimes unusual lunches (Santa Fe “rice boats”?), while my seniors remind me to say “pop” instead of “soda.” The Upper School is short on bathrooms, but it compensates with what must be the world’s largest freestanding Purell dispensers. Compared to the school where I taught in Los Angeles, Spartans converse much less about the entertainment industry, but a lot more about ice hockey.

In the end, what makes SPA such a rewarding place for me to be is the community here. As a teacher, I’ve learned so much working with my colleagues. And as a California transplant, I appreciate those faculty who spent 6th-period lunches giving me helpful advice about how to survive a Minnesota winter—albeit interspersed with a few tall tales.

(Yes, I did eventually figure out that my nostrils would not actually freeze together and suffocate me, thank you very much!) Like everyone else, I’m really looking forward to sunny spring weather, but I’m also looking forward to the continued sparkle of SPA. Dr. Nan Dreher, who joined the Upper School faculty in the fall of 2010, teaches world history and economics.

She has taught at independent schools in Los Angeles and Maryland, and held an appointment as an assistant professor of history at Marquette University in Milwaukee. Dreher earned her B.A. in economics from Yale University and her Ph.D. in European history from the University of Pennsylvania.

Fall and Winter Performances Photos by John Severson

upper School Fall Play: The Skin of Our Teeth The Upper School’s 2010 Fall Play, Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of our Teeth, “is a timeless statement about human foibles and human endurance, and demonstrates how the fundamentals of human character and human needs remain much the same throughout history,” says director and Upper School English teacher Eric Severson.

middle School Fall Play: The Secret Garden Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s novel, The Secret Garden was performed by the Middle School in November 2010. Middle School drama teacher Mary Kay Orman directed the show, which follows the orphaned Mary Lennox as she discovers new friends, a new home, and a secret garden in England.

upper School Winter one-Acts In January, 2011, the Upper School presented its annual Winter One-Acts. Featured this year were The Sandbox by Edward Albee, Enigma Variations and Sure Thing by David Ives, Am I Blue by Beth Henley, Old Saybrook by Woody Allen, and SPA’s first production of a student-written one-act: Doom Girl by Emma Johnson-Rivard ’11. The Sandbox took first place in both the sub-section and sectional One-Act competition and went to the state competition in early February, 2011.

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PA I D

Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 3400

1712 Randolph Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105-2194 Address Service Requested

TO PARENTS OF ALUMNI/AE: If this is no longer the current mailing address for your son or daughter, please let us know at alumni@spa.edu or 651-696-1366.

M A R K YO U R C A L E N D A R S

Scott Streble

June 2011

cLASS oF 2011 commencemenT June 12, 2011, 4 p.m.

Randolph Campus Summer ProGrAmS BeGin June 20, 2011 Randolph and Goodrich campuses

AuGuST 2011

PArenT/ALumni/Ae GoLF & TenniS eVenT August 15, 2011 White Bear yacht Club

SePTemBer 2011

HomecominG/reunion WeeKenD September 16-18, 2011 Randolph and Goodrich campuses

Rite of passage: Justin McKenzie ’11 earns a round of applause from his classmates during his Senior Speech on January 7, 2011.