“Willy” “Mr. Mac” B.A. Yale University; M.A. Middlebury College Returned in 1983 Head of school, English teacher, former class dean, soccer and ice hockey coach CPT, HDT, 11 years in the dorms
John Kenerson ’82 “Jack” B.A. Colgate University; M.A.L.S. Dartmouth College Returned in 1986 Head of the History Department, admissions officer, golf and football coach HDT, CPT, 12 years in the dorms
Three Taft teachers were key in getting me interested in teaching: Larry Stone, Monie Harwick, and Jol Everett. Jol’s history classes were great: interesting, full of discussion, and challenging. I had Monie in upper middle English, and I struggled! She was always there to help me and at the same time kept the standards high. Monie showed me you could be both compassionate and hold students to high standards, and I thought it would be neat to do that for students. Larry Stone, too, had a huge impact on me; he made me believe in myself. He pushed me, challenged me, demanded perfection, and I came to thrive on that. My senior year playing for Larry was one of the best experi-
Eric Norman ’81 B.A., M.B.A. University of Connecticut Returned in 1998 Business manager, former assistant business manager
(See also Willy’s interview, “Steering the Course,” in the summer issue.)
ences of my life. I loved everything about Taft Football. I did not miss a practice, a weight room session, or a film session, and when we beat a previously undefeated Hotchkiss team, I realized something about myself: If I put my mind to it, I could accomplish most anything. I still remember it clear as day—Larry was carried onto the field and we were all jumping around like we had won the Super Bowl! My continued love of football and of coaching stems directly from Larry. As America becomes more diverse and more welcoming, Taft does as well, whether it be increasing the percentage of girls in the student body or recognizing the need to increase the number of students on financial aid. Taft has changed a tremendous amount for the better. I like interacting with Taft kids on all levels. Whether in the classroom, on a Saturday afternoon in the fall on the football field, or with a couple of students who are babysitting for my son Peter, having the opportunity to work with motivated, interested, and, most importantly, good kids is a real joy. I feel fortunate that my “job” involves working close to my family and with young people in a variety of ways.
Before returning, I spent ten years in a Big 6 public accounting firm as a practicing CPA for primarily SEC registrants. Taft was my smallest audit client, which kept the connection alive. I saw a strong need here, and felt that I could address it, as well as create a nice career opportunity for myself. I was completely unaware of this side of the school when I was a student, but I
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[Blackburn] Osborn had on me. The school has become a better place in every imaginable way, and yet without losing its soul. I have wonderful colleagues, terrific students, and a beautiful campus; and each day I come to work excited. Best of all, I work with my best friend— my wife Pam.
Taft Bulletin Fall 2001
would say that Taft seems much more dynamic these days in terms of facilities and finance. We also seem to have lost some of the more colorful faculty members who were here when I was a student. As a student, you hope that the school’s existence makes a difference in your life; as a faculty member, you hope that your existence makes a difference in the school’s life.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER FINGER
William R. MacMullen ’78
I taught at a wilderness-based school for mentally retarded and delinquent boys. It was a wonderful, exhausting, meaningful job, but after a year, I felt it was time to move on. I wanted to teach and coach—and work with children who had the intellect, character, and opportunity to change the world. And I had great memories of Taft—I think I hoped I could have the effect on students that people like Tim Briney, Rick Davis ’59, and Robin