Magazine Spring 2026

ONWARD

Celebrating the legacy of Westminster’s Fifth President

President Keith Evans often signs his notes with a single word: Onward . It has never been a slogan, but a reminder that the work is bigger than any one person—that leadership is ultimately about guiding the School with steadiness and an eye toward those who will come next. As we reflect on President Evans’ legacy at Westminster, that word feels especially fitting. The School is prepared for its next chapter because of the way President Evans has helped the community understand its purpose and move forward together.

ON WA R D

LEADING THE WAY TO NEW POSSIBILITIES

Every day, we unlock possibilities for the next generation of leaders. As our campus transformation nears completion, the School’s mission continues to inspire, innovate, and empower through exceptional experiences. Every gift to The Westminster Fund fuels the people, programs, and opportunities that make these experiences possible. Join us in shaping the future—together, we’re building more than a campus, we’re creating a community where leadership thrives.

CONTRIBUTORS

Executive Editors

Liz Ball

Emilie Henry

Managing Editors

Brian A. Lee ’92

Tracy Lott

Art Director & Designer

Jenifer Cooper

Production Manager

Marisa Crissey

Editorial Staff

Annie Kaser

Landon Rowe

Contributors

Margaret Brown

Floyd Newton III ’73

Emerson Noone ’24

Pamela Nye

Caroline Rawls Strumph ’08

Macy White

Regina Wood

Design

Green Gate Marketing

Mindpower

Photography

Claire Abel

Clyde Click

Jenifer Cooper

Christian Garcia

Frederick Johnson

Annie Kaser

Landon Rowe

Gem Shots

Paul Ward Photography

Student, faculty, staff, and parent photographers

The Lewis H. Beck Archives at Westminster

Printing

Perfect Image

Onward

We celebrate and honor Westminster’s fifth president, Keith Evans, whose steady leadership and deep sense of purpose have shaped our community and will continue to influence how Wildcats learn, connect, and lead for generations to come.

Lead On: The Campaign for Westminster

Westminster administrators, trustees, and faculty asked a simple question: If the mission is to grow leaders of conscience for Atlanta and the world, what do campus spaces need to do to help? The answer: build community, strengthen connections, and put learning and leadership on display. Those goals are being realized through Lead On: The Campaign for Westminster

STAY CONNECTED

Address comments to Tracy Lott, Director of Marketing and Communications, at tracylott@westminster.net.

Submit class news items online at westminster.net/classnews.

Change your address or update your contact information online at westminster.net/updateyourinfo.

Dear Westminster Community,

Traditionally, this space in Westminster Magazine is reserved for our president, Keith Evans, to comment on matters of significance in the life of the School. This issue, however, is largely focused on honoring Keith as he approaches his retirement, so I am writing this letter instead.

Early in Keith’s tenure, I observed that he is a leader who listens carefully, builds consensus, and draws out the best in those around him. While he may have a ready answer to almost any question that comes before him, he doesn’t immediately state the answer but instead builds the case for his conclusion. Over his 12 years as president, that spirit of persuasion and partnership has shaped the way our community works and leads together.

Keith’s calm demeanor and commitment to collaboration have created an environment where new ideas flourish. He leads with conviction—empowering his team, encouraging exploration, and knowing when to offer the kind of thoughtful input that makes a good idea even better. That balance of decisiveness and collaboration has empowered Westminster to pursue bold ambitions while remaining true to its mission and founding values. Keith’s last letter in this magazine focused on JanTerm, a perfect example of that bold innovation.

The results of Keith’s leadership can be seen all around campus. When he arrived, it was clear that Westminster needed to upgrade its facilities. Rather than immediately deciding what to do first, Keith retained a planning firm to help Westminster visualize what might be possible and how facilities could contribute to the educational process. He then found an architectural firm with the vision to design spaces that maximize the opportunities Westminster provides while honoring the School’s values and culture.

Similarly, Keith led the Board and the Advancement Team through a study of the community’s giving capacity to support capital projects. The result was the Lead On Campaign—the most ambitious in Westminster’s history— which has transformed not only our physical landscape but also the way we think about learning. These buildings are more than bricks and limestone; they embody our community’s belief— championed by Keith—that education happens everywhere. They invite curiosity, connection, and collaboration. Keith and his Leadership focus on these “productive collisions.”

Perhaps no single building captures that vision more vividly than Barge Commons. From the moment Keith described it as a place where “Westminster and the world meet,” the idea resonated with the Board of Trustees. Barge Commons embodies the outward-looking spirit that defines our School today—a place where students, teachers, and partners from beyond campus come together to exchange ideas, build understanding, and prepare to lead with conscience. It is a space that models the kind of engagement we want our students to carry into the world.

Keith’s legacy is one of thoughtful leadership and clarity. He has led with a steady hand and a clear heart, guided always by what will best serve our students and by the example he sets for the Leadership Team each day. Under his leadership, Westminster has continued to form young people of character. He has reminded us that true excellence is measured not just by accolades but by the humanity of our graduates.

This issue of Westminster Magazine celebrates not only Keith’s extraordinary tenure, but also the many people who have brought us to this pivotal moment in our story. The Lead On Campaign represents the belief of the entire community in Westminster’s mission— and in our students. To all who have supported this effort so far: thank you. And to those who will join us in the work ahead, we welcome you into a shared effort that is already shaping the future of our School.

Because of his leadership—and because of the generosity and steadfast support of this community—Westminster is ready to lead on. The impact of these years will be felt in every future innovation, new opportunity, and student who walks these halls ready to make a difference in the world.

With gratitude,

Floyd C. Newton III ’73 Chairman, Board of Trustees

ADMINISTRATION

Keith A. Evans President

Toni Boyd Vice President for Finance and Operations

Frank Brown ’04 Director of DEI and Community Engagement

Lauren DuPriest Head of Lower School

Emilie Henry Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Jim Justice Dean of Academics and Curriculum

Leslie Ann Little Head of Middle School

Marjorie Mitchell Williams ’82 Head of Enrollment Management

Danette Morton Executive Director, Center for Teaching

Thad Persons ’88 Dean of Faculty

Chanley Small ’87 Head of Upper School

Shannon Soares Director of Athletics

2025-26 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Floyd C. Newton III ’73, Chair

Dana Weeks Ugwonali, Vice Chair

Marilyn S. Black

Elizabeth Kilcullen Blake

Javan T. Bunch ’81

Mahnaz R. Charania J. Donald Childress

David D. Cummings

Clare H. Draper IV

Rand Glenn Hagen ’95

F. Sheffield Hale ’78

Angela Hsu

Ira L. Jackson ’83

Joia M. Johnson ’77

Suja Katarya

Katharine W. Kelley ’82

Stephen S. Lanier ’96

Jenny Pocalyko Latz ’91

William L. Levine ’88

Lisa Olivetti McGahan

Richard V. McPhail III

Allison Bolch Moran ’86 R. Brand Morgan ’94

R. Davis Noell

Leslie D. Patterson

Jonathan D. Rodbell ’90

Louise Scott Sams ’75

William P. Stengel II

Alexander C. Taylor

Sarah Hawkins Warren ’00

D. Scott Weimer

Warren C. Wick II

PRESIDENT

Keith A. Evans

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVE

Caroline Rawls Strumph ’08

EMERITUS TRUSTEES

Claire L. Arnold

Betsy Barge ’69

Lisa Borders ’75

James E. Bostic Jr.

Henry L. Bowden Jr. ’67

Rosalind G. Brewer

Peter M. Candler ’60

Samuel G. Candler

Nelson C. Chu

William Clarkson IV

Richard W. Courts II ’55

Ann Draughon Cousins

Suzanne LeCraw Cox ’71

F. T. Davis Jr. ’56

Winifred S. Davis ’57

Harold A. Dawson Jr. ’82

Michael J. Egan ’74

W. Douglas Ellis Jr.

Dorsey D. Farr ’90

J. Rex Fuqua

Lillian Cousins Giornelli ’78

Thomas K. Glenn II ’65

Henry W. Grady Ill ’80

Allen S. Hardin

Scott D. Hawkins

Douglas J. Hertz ’70

Thomas D. Hills ’62

Ronald P. Hogan

Barbara Benson Howell

L. Phillip Humann

M. Hill Jeffries Jr. ’73

James C. Kennedy

E. Cody Laird Jr.

J. Hicks Lanier ’58

Janet M. Lavine

William H. Linginfelter

David M. Love ’90

Dennis M. Love ’74

James E. Love Ill ’75

Carolyn Cody McClatchey ’65

Terence F. McGuirk

Joel T. Murphy ’76

John F. Oglesby ’79

Rahul Patel

William T. Plybon

Olga Goizueta Rawls ’73

Kelly A. Regal

Margaret Conant Reiser ’73

B. Clayton Rolader ’72

John W. Rooker ’56 (d)

S. Stephen Selig ’61

Alana J. Shepherd NAPS ’47

Jeffrey P. Small Jr. ’85

C. Austin Stephens ’93

Andrew M. Taylor ’79

L. Barry Teague

Lucy Carpenter Vance ’61

Charles W. Wickliffe Ill ’85

George B. Wirth

This listing reflects Westminster’s leadership during the 2025-26 academic year.

Wildcat Tracks

By embracing the Wildcat Way and striving for excellence in academics, athletics, the arts, and community engagement, Westminster students filled the spring 2025 semester with energy, purpose, and pride. Their efforts have left a lasting impact across campus, throughout Atlanta, and beyond. This snapshot highlights the enriching experiences and impressive accomplishments of many of our students.

Kickstarting 2025

JanTerm, one of Westminster’s most beloved traditions, started off 2025 with immersive, project-based learning across 42 different Upper School courses. The three-week courses transcended classrooms and disciplines to deliver special learning experiences.

Living Legends

Embodying many of history’s most impactful figures, second-grade students showcased their knowledge of inspirational men and women through costuming and acting during the second grade Living Museum. Friends, family, and fellow students explored both Love Hall and history through stories of some of the most accomplished athletes, artists, actors, and academics.

Arendelle to Auditorium

No cold feet here! Kellett Theatre hosted the Middle School’s production of Disney’s Frozen JR., which follows two vastly different royal sisters and their resulting family complexities. From classics such as Princess Elsa’s “Let it Go” to Olaf’s “In Summer,” the audience experienced a range of musical moods, all amounting to a cool theatrical experience.

Playing With Purpose

To kick off Women’s History Month and celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the Athletics department hosted a panel of female leaders from various sectors of the sports industry to educate students on the importance of representation and equality. Students from all divisions filled the room with questions for a few of their newest female role models.

Love Hall and Loved Ones

Joie de Sing

Upper School Ensemble said “bonjour” from across the pond, as a select group of the School’s most talented Wildcat vocalists embarked on a musical journey through France. In historic churches and other sites from Paris to Normandy, these singers shared their voices with all.

In March 2025, Love Hall hosted its first Grandparents and Special Friends Day since the building renovation and expansion. Students showed their guests of honor what it means to be a Westminster Wildcat with performances, tours of the new space, and lots of love.

Honoring Black Excellence

In February 2025, the campus proudly celebrated Black History Month with a series of powerful events honoring the legacy, resilience, and brilliance of Black leaders. Through dynamic presentations, performances, and discussions, faculty and students came together to highlight the profound influence of Black culture on music, television, and art.

Lights, Camera, Awards!

WCAT and StudioW swept the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Southeast Student Production Awards, earning six outstanding honors. The Wildcats brought home awards in the following categories: Music Video, Short Fiction, Sports Program, Live Sporting Event, Director, and Photographer. Congrats, Cats!

Cats at Play

Field Day 2025 offered more than a breath of fresh air to Lower, Middle, and Upper School students with plenty of competition, all aimed at creating ample Wildcat fun. There were races, water games, obstacle courses, and colorful gear to help build team unity and spread school spirit around campus.

Fellows Forward

Upper School fellowship programs came together to host an exhibition in Barge Commons: Writing Fellows read personal pieces aloud, Innovation Fellows presented prospective projects, Civic Engagement Fellows followed up on philanthropic efforts, and Civic Dialogue Fellows provided thought-provoking conversation on sensitive issues. With presentations of bright ideas and dedicated, thoughtful work, the building was filled with purpose and passion.

A Mean Team

The Westminster Players lit up The Kellett Theatre with the spring 2025 production of Mean Girls, the musical, a caricatured classic about the hierarchies of high school. Through hilarious songs such as “Revenge Party” and harsh ballads like “World Burn,” the stage showed the spectrum of emotions entangled in teen drama.

Service in Action

Westminster’s fourth annual Day of Service was a huge success, with parents, students, faculty, and staff pitching in to get their hands dirty on and off campus. With projects that supported 22 different nonprofit organizations from the Atlanta area, Wildcats helped create a positive and lasting impact on their community.

Always Innovating

Wildcats dove into a world of creativity, curiosity, and discovery at the Lower School Innovation Fair. Students explored a range of subjects—from art to beekeeping—through engaging, hands-on learning stations led by both teachers and peers. The fair sparked imagination, fostered collaboration, and brought learning to life in exciting, unexpected ways.

Christian Emphasis Week 2025

Throughout Christian Emphasis Week, the Westminster community grew in faith through sermons, singing, and fellowship. Centered on themes such as “The Lord Is My Shepherd, I Have Everything I Need,” “You Reap What You Sow,” and “The Stories of Faith,” students reflected on narratives of the Bible and their relevance to the world around them.

Future of Film

Fourth-grade students became filmmakers for the annual Fundance Film Festival held in Taylor Auditorium. Decked out in festive costumes, dresses, and accessories, students were excited to show off their creative storytelling on-screen and celebrate with friends and family.

It’s Showtime!

Westminster hosted the Atlanta High School Film Festival with some of StudioW’s most devoted filmmakers along with similarly passionate guests from area schools. The event featured screenings of student films and awards for the talented young artists.

Jr. High Flicks, Glitz, and Grooves

The red carpet was rolled out on Alice McCallie Pressly Plaza for the eighth-grade Oscar Night celebration and Spring Dance. Excitement was in the air, and students were all smiles as they watched friends’ films, received awards, and had fun on the dance floor.

A-MAY-zing Work

Every year after spring exams, MayATL has Middle School students dedicate a week to a focused, experiential class, spreading their wings while stretching learning beyond the traditional classroom walls. From photography to sewing fabrics, “So You Wanna Be a Doctor?” to “Into the Wild” courses and much more, students learn a spectrum of skills and explore every corner of Atlanta while doing so.

The Future Is Bright

In recognition of their unique talents and contributions to the community, nine Westminster tenth- and eleventh-grade students were selected to the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program from a pool of more than 4,000 students across Georgia. 1 Celeste Roselli (Computer Science), 2 Max Scholle (EngineeringElectrical and Computational), 3 Tommy Weng (Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering), 4 Harper Bateman (MusicViolin), 5 Ismini Vasiloglou (Social Studies), 6 Crystal Zhang (Social Studies), 7 Andrew Yuan (Visual Arts), 8 Aki Makanjuola (World Languages-Chinese), and 9 Andy Fang (Music-Piano) earned the opportunity to spend a summer with like-minded, passionate students interested in becoming future leaders.

These were among our top Instagram posts of the 2025 spring semester. Can you guess which one was the most popular?

Senior Dog Day

Welcoming Jay Rainey

Seniors’ Last Day

Commencement

Snow Day

ON WA R D KEITH EVANS’ LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AND PURPOSE

A look at a presidency that strengthened Westminster, with students at the center.

By: Liz Ball, Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications & Events

Making Space for Student Expression

President Keith Evans made it a point to give student artwork visible space across campus, reinforcing his belief that the physical environment shapes the student experience—and that students’ thinking and creativity belong at the center of the School’s shared life.

In his earliest days at Westminster

—long before any strategic plans, campus master plans, or capital campaign efforts took shape—Keith Evans walked the campus. He does it often still: sometimes beside trustees who share the stories behind familiar buildings, sometimes with longtime faculty who point out where generations of students have gathered, and sometimes alone, studying how the campus’s spaces support community and learning.

Keith has always had a way of noticing what others have stopped seeing— whether on campus, in a meeting, or at a community event—reading the details that quietly reveal how a school truly operates and what it values most. On those first walks, the campus revealed both its strengths and strains: beloved spaces softened by age, hallways whose uses had evolved beyond their design. Trustees, school leaders, and faculty remember how quickly he observed things they had long overlooked—not as criticism, but with curiosity about how the physical environment supported, and sometimes limited, the work of students and teachers.

Thad Persons ’88, Dean of Faculty, noticed it immediately. “Keith has an unusual ability to see how a school actually works,” Thad says. “He pays attention to the small things—the way students move through a hallway, the way teachers use a space—and he understands what those details mean for teaching and learning.”

But what stood out to Keith even more than the surroundings was the story beneath them—the School’s founding purpose. He often referenced Dr. William L. Pressly’s vision, captured in The Formative Years, the memoir in which Westminster’s first president described how the School came to be and why it existed: to prepare leaders of conscience for Atlanta and the wider world.

Keith believes that decisions about Westminster’s future should remain rooted in that foundation, guiding the School as it evolves to serve students in a changing world. His tenure represents a continued alignment of mission, leadership, and practice—work that has helped shape a culture in which people share a clear understanding of the School’s purpose and a strengthened capacity to move forward with intention. And as Westminster approaches its 75th year, that alignment has given the community a fortified sense of confidence about the School’s future and its long-term work.

An Unexpected Beginning

When Westminster began its search for a new president following Bill Clarkson’s retirement announcement in early 2013, the search committee approached its charge with optimism and respect for the work ahead. Clarkson had guided Westminster through a period of strength and stability, and trustees understood they were stewarding not just a leadership transition but the next era in the

The Path to Westminster

Keith came to Westminster from Collegiate School in Richmond, Virginia, where he served as Head of School from 1999 to 2014. Prior to his time at Collegiate, he held leadership roles at St. Mary’s Episcopal School (Memphis, Tennessee), Webb School of Knoxville (Tennessee), and McCallie (Chattanooga, Tennessee).

With a bachelor’s from Davidson College, master’s degrees from Harvard University and the University of Tennessee, plus fellowships with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University, his multidisciplinary background prepared him well for Westminster.

Finding Purpose in Place

Keith’s keen observations and curiosity around the impact space can have on learning, community, and connection are reflected in new and renovated spaces around campus including Barge Commons, The Blake Center, Hawkins Hall, and Love Hall.

influencing culture

clear expectations trust steady encouragement shaping teams strengthening programs

School’s history. Westminster was thriving yet also entering a moment that required long-term vision. Instructional innovation was gaining momentum, students were navigating a world where information moved faster than ever, opportunities across Atlanta were expanding quickly, and the School was beginning to consider how best to organize and plan for the decades ahead.

“There was just a steadiness about him. It wasn’t one thing he said—it was

how

he

thought, how he listened. At some point, we realized we weren’t just asking for his advice anymore. We were hoping he’d consider being our next president.”

Mike Egan ’74 Emeritus Trustee, P ’02, ’04, ’06, ’13

As the committee began its work, trustees cast a wide and intentional net. Led by then-Board Chair Mike Egan ’74, the search committee sought counsel from leaders within independent schools and beyond—asking not for names at first, but for insight into what Westminster would need in its next president. Yet one name surfaced repeatedly: Keith Evans, head of Collegiate School in Richmond. Keith had held several leadership positions at well-regarded schools across the Southeast—experience that made him widely respected in the independent school world. People spoke of his thoughtful leadership, his steadiness, and his deep respect for institutional mission. So when the search committee invited him to dinner, it was not with the expectation that he would be a candidate, but to gain the perspective of someone whose judgment they trusted and whose track record they admired.

Keith came simply to offer that counsel. He was settled at Collegiate and not looking for a new role. But as the evening unfolded, the conversation widened— toward Westminster’s strengths, its aspirations, and the kind of leadership that could honor both. There was no pivotal moment, no shift in tone—just a steady realization that Keith’s instincts and the School’s needs seemed naturally aligned. The dinner didn’t determine the outcome; nor was it meant to. But it broadened the committee’s understanding of what Westminster might seek in its next president—and who might embody the values the School hoped to carry forward.

As trustees continued their search, they found themselves returning to that conversation. Gradually, the question shifted from whether Keith could help guide the search to whether he might be the leader Westminster should pursue. Soon after, they began working to see if he might be open to the idea as well.

“There was just a steadiness about him,” Mike recalls. “It wasn’t one thing he said—it was how he thought, how he listened. At some point, we realized we weren’t just asking for his advice anymore. We were hoping he’d consider being our next president.”

Cultivating Leaders Across the Community

From the beginning, Keith’s leadership has taken shape through relationships. He starts with people—listening, asking questions, and paying attention to what helps them do their best work.

Marjorie Mitchell ’82, Westminster’s Director of Enrollment Management, saw it early on. “He sets clear expectations and then gives you the support and space to grow,” she says. “He doesn’t take the work out of your hands. He helps you see it differently and trusts you to lead.”

“He was approachable and unflappable. He never made you feel like your concern was an interruption,” remembers longtime college counselor Nancy Beane. “He had this way of listening fully, even in the busiest seasons, and you left the conversation feeling calmer than when you walked in. That kind of presence makes people want to rise to the occasion.”

Those ways of leading—clear expectations, trust, and steady encouragement—began to shape not only the adults who guide Westminster but also the student experience they were creating every day. It’s a style of leadership that spread across campus—guiding teams, strengthening programs, and influencing the culture itself. In moments of complexity—including conversations about identity, access, and belonging—colleagues recall Keith’s willingness to listen fully, sit with discomfort, and guide the community toward shared understanding. It even carried into the JanTerm course he co-taught, where his presence felt much the same: calm, curious, and focused on helping others find their voice.

Teaching the Next Generation of Leaders

Each January, Keith co-taught “Leadership Encounters,” a JanTerm course built around stories of purpose and personal growth. In that setting, he was less the president and more the educator he has always been—asking thoughtful questions, drawing connections, and encouraging students to reflect on what leadership might mean for them.

Whether in the JanTerm classroom, at Faculty Forum, or in conversation with trustees, faculty, and staff, Keith Evans approached leadership as a form of teaching—grounded in listening, shared purpose, and care for the people who shape the School each day.

Friday, March 13, 2020, was the “Beta” test of Virtual Westminster. On that day, Keith closed his email to families with a few words of hope:

“Of everything that might be said about the COVID-19 outbreak, one sure thing is that it is an opportunity to build resilience in our children that will serve them throughout their lives. We might have chosen a different opportunity, but this is the one we have. If we lock arms in mutual support, we will see growth that will surprise us all.”

In addition to providing families with a sense of connection when the Westminster community could not physically come together, those daily communications from Keith offered something more. As Keith

weeks of virtual school during the 2019-20 school year

59 emails were sent by Keith to Westminster families between Friday, March 6, and Sunday, May 31, in 2020

Navigating COVID-19

As Westminster transitioned from in-person learning to Virtual Westminster in March of 2020, President Keith Evans committed to writing a letter to Westminster families every school day during virtual learning. Those daily communications featured myriad topics ranging from the logistics associated with virtual learning to uncovering the moments of hope and inspiration discovered during an uncertain time.

so eloquently stated in his email to Westminster families on May 21, 2020, the final day of the 2019-20 school year, “Writing each day since we vacated campus has been an attempt to rescue from this crisis the hidden blessings that any of us might otherwise overlook.”

Where Learning Happens

Keith championed learning environments designed to support how students think, collaborate, and grow—recognizing that where learning happens can be as important as who is teaching.

The structure of the course was intentionally simple. Each day, students heard from a guest—an alum, civic leader, educator, artist, or entrepreneur. The prompt was always the same: “Tell us your story.” The conversations that followed often revealed moments of challenge, change, and conviction. Keith aimed to help students listen closely, make meaning, and consider what the stories suggest about their own evolving sense of leadership.

“His stories brought the topics to life,” recalls Reyha Parsh ’26, who says he helped them see that leadership “comes from who you are and what you notice, not just the positions you hold.” Lilya Elchahal ’26 remembers the encouraging way he guided discussions: “He let us take the conversation where it needed to go. He didn’t dominate it. He made it feel like our class.” And Veer Singh ’26 describes the intentional pauses Keith left after each guest finished speaking—moments of quiet that, he says, felt “like he wanted us to sit with what we’d heard before anyone said anything.”

steady, encouraging guide high support expanded faculty resources strengthened counseling students feel known

Keith’s interest in students’ growth extends well beyond the JanTerm classroom. Early in his tenure, he encouraged School leaders and faculty to think more intentionally about what high challenge paired with high support should look like for young people. That work led to a strengthened counseling model in each division, expanded resources for faculty, and Westminster’s participation in a cohort of high challenge

independent schools using research developed by the late developmental psychologist Dr. Suniya Luthar. By contributing to and learning from shared data, the School gained clearer insight into students’ well-being and how best to support their mental health. For Keith, this was part of the same work he embraced in JanTerm: creating environments where students feel known, supported, and able to take on meaningful challenge.

A Campus Coming Into Focus

As Keith listened to students, faculty, and staff during his first years, a consistent theme surfaced: Westminster’s academic energy and student experience were outpacing what many of its physical spaces could support. Faculty were innovating, interdisciplinary learning was gaining

SPRING 2014

First campus visit where Keith received a warm welcome from students across all divisions

momentum, and programs were expanding in ways that required different kinds of classrooms, labs, collaboration areas, and gathering spaces.

Keith didn’t frame these early conversations as the start of a construction plan. Instead, he invited the community to look beyond current constraints and imagine how the physical environment could match the School’s academic energy. He encouraged leaders to think about what students and teachers could do with the right kinds of spaces. Administrators clarified long-term institutional priorities, and designers translated those priorities into environments that would support Westminster’s momentum for years to come—shaping designs that reflected the School’s growing aspirations.

2019

Honoring Principals’ Circle donors at Porsche Experience Center

FALL 2014

“Ask Mr. Evans” on the first day of school his first year as President

2020

Leading a diploma drive-through that honored the Class of 2020 when the COVID pandemic required a different approach to Westminster’s traditional commencement ceremony

From that foundation came the series of projects that reshaped and elevated the School’s academic and community life through Lead On: The Campaign for Westminster. Over the course of seven years, new buildings like Hawkins Hall, Barge Commons, and The Blake Center emerged, alongside renewed and expanded spaces including Campbell Hall, Love Hall, Schoen Community Plaza, and Thompson Stadium.

Emilie Henry, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, saw firsthand how these new environments changed daily life. “Barge Commons created a new front door for the School,” Emilie reflects, “and it was one of the first visible expressions of what Lead On could make possible—bringing the community together in new ways. In the years that followed, each

project built on that momentum. The Blake Center feels like a natural culmination of that work. It carries that same spirit deeper into academic life, elevating interdisciplinary, hands-on learning inspired by the imagination and aspirations of our students and teachers. It’s the kind of environment our faculty had long envisioned—and one our students are already shaping.”

Once the new and renewed spaces opened, they blended quickly into the flow of campus life. Students used them as hoped—working in flexible classrooms, collaborating in shared areas, and gathering in places designed to support the programs they were shaping. The buildings made an immediate difference in how students and teachers worked together—and in how the broader Westminster community connected.

2022

At the inaugural Black Alumni Conference hosted by the Black Alumni Council during Homecoming Weekend

2024

Talking with a WCAT student reporter inside Love Hall’s Taylor Auditorium during construction—offering students an early look at a space taking shape

2023

On a helicopter flying over Israel and Gaza during a 2023 visit with an American Jewish Committee delegation, part of a broader effort focused on regional context and dialogue

2025

Receiving the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) Distinguished Service Award at the annual SAIS conference

“He helped us operate with perspective and with a confidence that came from knowing our conversations were anchored in the School’s purpose.”

Ira Jackson ’83 Trustee

Steadiness During the Unexpected

The years from 2020 to 2022 brought challenges that affected every school in the country. A global pandemic reshaped daily life, public health guidance shifted almost daily, and communities everywhere navigated prolonged uncertainty. At the same time, the nation was grappling with a renewed and urgent conversation about racial justice—one that reached campus communities and prompted difficult, necessary reflection about belonging, equity, and responsibility.

Keith approached the moment the same way he approached calmer seasons: by listening, grounding decisions in mission, and asking what students and teachers needed most. Early in the pandemic, Keith, trustees, and senior leaders aligned around a central truth of the School’s ethos: the Westminster experience depends on being together. The conversation quickly shifted from if students could return to campus to how to do so safely. With that shared commitment, the leadership team moved forward in unison, focused on reopening in a way that honored both health guidance and the value of in-person connection. Keith prioritized clarity, communication, and care, and encouraged trustees and senior leaders to think not only about operational demands but also about the lived experience of the students and faculty returning to in-person learning—recognizing that different members of the community were navigating that uncertainty in different ways. continues on page 28

INSPIRING LEADERSHIP STORY

Understanding What Drives Leadership

Frank Brown ’04, Director of DEI and Community Engagement

Keith once told me that one of the most complex parts of leadership is being misunderstood. That insight struck me because it reframes misunderstanding as a natural byproduct of leading with vision, rather than a flaw. Leaders who move a community forward are often ahead of where others are prepared to go. I’ve watched Keith hold that tension with humility and resolve. His example has shaped how I think about leadership: the aim is conviction in service of a greater mission, even when consensus is elusive.

Lauren DuPriest, Head of Lower School

I am especially grateful for Keith’s steady leadership during one of the most challenging chapters in education—the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time of deep uncertainty, he remained unwavering in his commitment to what mattered most—our students’ learning and well-being. Because of his vision and steadfast guidance, our students continued to thrive in community,

supported by the connection, structure, and sense of belonging that only an in-person Westminster experience could provide.

Jaime Saunders, Upper School Grade Chair and English Teacher

Students in Keith's leadership class felt honored to learn from him. They hung on his every word, whether it be a piece of advice, some knowledge he hoped to impart, or one of his funny stories. As the President of Westminster, he enters any room with an ethos that commands respect, and students in his leadership course felt fortunate to learn from him. They knew they were part of something special.

Carter Thomas ’98, Middle School Leadership Teacher

Keith exemplifies the very lesson he teaches my middle school students–that leadership is not a position; it’s a behavior. Keith is a leader not because of his title; he is a leader because of the way he acts. He treats our students with tremendous respect, and because of that, they can tell that he genuinely cares about our School and every person in it.

The Story Behind the Picture

My family and I had only lived here for two years at the time, but during our second year, Hurricane Helene displaced us from our home for an extended period. We lost several cherished items we thought were irreplaceable— college diplomas, a wedding dress, baby books, and more.

Just a few weeks after the storm, Keith showed up at my office with something I never expected: a newly reissued diploma from my alma mater. Unbeknownst to me, he had contacted the university president and arranged to have it replaced. He even had it framed and ready to hang.

That diploma now hangs proudly in my office—not just as a symbol of my academic journey, but as a reminder of the extraordinary kindness and leadership Keith embodies. I’m really grateful our paths have crossed.

–Shannon Soares, Director of Athletics

Clockwise from top left: Frank Brown, Lauren DuPriest, Jaime Saunders, and Carter Thomas

1) Keith at his first convocation as Head of School at Collegiate School 2) Seniors welcome Keith during his first days at Westminster 3) Keith pictured with Atlanta Braves Chairman Terry McGuirk and the Commissioner’s Trophy after the Braves’ 2021 World Series win 4) Emilie Evans drops off Keith on his first day of school in a video by WCAT 5) First graders visit Keith in his office 6) 2023 Equitable Dinner 7) Keith and wife Emilie welcoming Buddhist monks to the President’s home in 2016

8) Keith and his dog Ruff 9) Lower School students celebrate Keith’s birthday 10) 1980s-themed Back to the Future Day at Faculty Forum 11) JanTerm “Leadership Encounter” class visit to the Atlanta History Center 12) Blessing of the Backpacks 13) Speaking at the 2023 Pressly Leadership Society Celebration

communication clarity care purpose long-range thinking interdisciplinary learning

“Keith’s steady communication kept us informed and hopeful, and his decisions—like implementing on-campus COVID testing and prioritizing inperson learning— meant our students could remain in the classroom when so many others were online.”

As Westminster worked through the complexities of reopening, it became a source of guidance for other independent schools across the country. Colleagues from peer institutions reached out to learn how Westminster had safely returned students to campus, structured decision-making, and balanced health protocols with the needs of students and faculty.

Looking back, many note that Westminster emerged from those years not by avoiding difficulty, but by carrying forward what had guided it since its founding: thoughtful leadership, honest conversation, and a community firmly rooted in purpose. Helen Stewart ’88, former PAWS President, remembers the reassurance those qualities offered to families. “I remember how Keith wrote to families every single day during the months of remote learning in the spring of 2020. Those letters offered a sense of connection in the midst of so much uncertainty,” she says. “His steady communication kept us informed and hopeful, and his decisions—like implementing on-campus COVID testing and prioritizing in-person learning—meant our students could return to the classroom when so many others were online. As a parent, I will always be grateful for that gift, and as an alum, I am proud of how Westminster navigated such a challenging time under his leadership.”

Strengthening Governance for the Future

Westminster has benefited from generations of strong Boards, and Keith’s tenure built on that continuity, helping governance practices grow in step with the School’s expanding aspirations. Long before the pandemic, Keith encouraged trustees to use their time not only to address immediate responsibilities but also to consider the School’s future with a wide-angle lens. He emphasized alignment—ensuring conversations and priorities reflected Westminster’s values and vision as well as the opportunities ahead. The challenges of 2020 through 2022 only deepened the Board’s commitment to that work and reinforced the importance of having a shared language for the values guiding its decisions.

“Keith brought clarity to complicated conversations,” says trustee Ira Jackson ’83. “He kept us grounded in mission, even in moments of urgency. His steadiness created the conditions for thoughtful, long-range thinking. He helped us operate with perspective—and with the confidence that comes from knowing our conversations were anchored in the School’s purpose.”

That long-view orientation became especially valuable as the School undertook the development of From Our Founding, a guiding statement Keith helped

Helen Stewart ’88 Former PAWS President

INFLUENCE AND IMPACT

Beyond the Gates and Across the Community

Throughout his time at Westminster, President Keith Evans made a practice of staying closely connected to the School’s community in all its forms: current students and parents, alumni spanning eight decades, current and former faculty and school leaders, and longtime friends and partners of the School. That connection often took shape through conversation—on campus, across the country, and frequently, in the President’s House, where Keith and his wife, Emilie, welcomed members of the community for gatherings large and small, especially in the early years of his tenure when campus event space was limited.

Keith also saw representing Westminster beyond its gates as essential. He believes schools are most effective when they are engaged in the life of their cities—contributing meaningfully to the communities they serve and strengthening the student experience in the process. Across Atlanta, Keith invested time and care in relationships that reflected Westminster’s values and its founding aspiration of developing leaders who help the city thrive.

Connecting Across Wildcat Nation

From alumni chapter events in cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, to Golden Wildcats celebrations and Emeritus Trustee gatherings, Keith valued opportunities to reconnect with members of the Westminster community at every stage of life. Each gathering offered an opportunity to listen and better understand what Wildcats value—and the connections and experiences that bind them together.

Gateway Center and Georgia Works: Expanding Pathways to

Stability

Among Keith’s many civic commitments, his long-standing service to Gateway Center has been especially meaningful. He joined Gateway’s Board of Directors in 2015 at the invitation of its founding chairman, Jack Hardin, and now serves as Board Chair. Gateway Center works to address homelessness in Atlanta through coordinated services focused on housing stability, workforce readiness, health support, and long-term self-sufficiency.

Keith also serves on the Board of Georgia Works, founded by Bill McGahan ’80. Georgia Works provides

transitional housing, job training, and employment placement for men experiencing homelessness—offering a structured pathway toward stability and independence.

Keith believes that individuals experiencing homelessness are among the most vulnerable members of society—often overlooked or taken advantage of by systems not designed to protect them. His work with Gateway and Georgia Works has been guided by a conviction that helping people secure stability, opportunity, and dignity is vital to the well-being of the broader community. His work with these organizations has forwarded efforts to address homelessness through intentional services, workforce development, and pathways toward long-term self-sufficiency.

Civic Dialogue, Educational Access, and Service

Through long-standing involvement with organizations like A Better Chance, the American Jewish Committee in Atlanta, and Rotary Atlanta, Keith supported efforts to broaden educational opportunity and strengthen civic engagement and dialogue. Whether expanding pathways for high-achieving students from historically underserved backgrounds or engaging in conversations centered on service and understanding across communities, his work reflected a belief that leadership carries responsibility beyond one’s own institution.

Strengthening Independent Schools

Keith’s leadership within the Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools prioritized collaboration, governance best practices, and thoughtful leadership across the profession. He served as a connector among his colleagues in the independent school space—working alongside fellow school leaders to support and strengthen the independent school community as it navigated a rapidly changing educational landscape.

craft with senior leaders and trustees. Drawing on Dr. Pressly’s writings and decades of institutional experience, the statement distilled Westminster’s purpose into a clear narrative—one that reaffirmed the School’s identity and provided a shared touchstone for the entire community.

The creation of From Our Founding became one of the most meaningful examples of this mission-centered governance. Katharine Kelley ’82, who chaired the Board during the statement’s development, recalls how Keith approached the work with genuine curiosity. “What stood out to me,” she says, “was how he brought the entire Board and the entire administrative team into the process. He wanted every voice at the table. He created space for honest conversation, and he guided us toward language that felt true to Westminster. It was collaborative in the best way.”

The work unfolded through workshops, discussions, and months of refinement. “Some parts of the process were hard,” says Katharine, “but Keith kept us grounded. He helped us stay open, patient, and committed to the mission we were articulating. What we created wasn’t just a statement—it became a shared foundation. It is some of the Board’s most meaningful work and will serve the School for years to come.”

By the time From Our Founding was introduced in August 2024, the Board was already operating with a strong shared understanding of Westminster’s mission and priorities. The statement captured—in clear language—the values that had guided the School for years, establishing a firm foundation for the future.

“Keith models the essential qualities that we instill into our students— avoiding taking themselves too seriously, but instead, accepting challenges, academic and otherwise, with buoyancy and initiative.”

Frank Finsthwait Upper School Writing Center Teacher/Tutor

The Date on the Screen

At a Board meeting in the spring of 2025, Keith projected a date—June 2026—and asked trustees to think realistically about what a well-planned leadership transition would entail. The exercise wasn’t meant to be dramatic, but seeing the date on the screen brought into focus something he had been sensing: Westminster was healthy, aligned, and ready for a transition carried out with ample preparation and purpose.

For Emeritus Trustees and Former Board Chair Joel Murphy ’76, that moment said as much about Keith’s character as any decision he made as president.

“Keith walked us through the timeline in the same thoughtful way he handled everything,” Joel recalled. “There was no drama. He wasn’t making it about himself. He was asking, ‘What’s best for Westminster?’ Keith wanted the School to have the time and the clarity it needed. It wasn’t about him leaving—it was about Westminster continuing.”

Those who know him weren’t surprised. The decision to retire emerged the way most things do with Keith—quietly, steadily, and with Westminster at the center.

Onward

As Westminster looks toward its next chapter, the themes of Keith’s tenure continue to guide the School: listen first, stay grounded in mission, invest in people, and lead with clarity and care. His influence is evident in the habits and understandings that now shape the community’s daily work—a deeper alignment between purpose and practice, a shared confidence in the School’s future, and a culture that develops leaders at every level.

Keith often signs his notes with a single word: Onward. It has never been a slogan, but a reminder that the work is bigger than any one person—that leadership is ultimately about guiding the School with steadiness and an eye toward those who will come next. As his presidency

nears its culmination, that word feels especially fitting.

Westminster is prepared for its next chapter, in large part because of the way Keith has helped the community understand its purpose and move forward together. The School he leaves is well positioned, grounded in its founding values, and prepared for the leadership that will guide its next chapter. For the students who have been shaped by these years—the classrooms they learned in, the adults who supported them, the community that helped them grow—his legacy is both personal and lasting. And for those who have worked alongside him, his approach has been a quiet constant—anchored in vision and forever focused on what this community needs most.

Onward, indeed.

A LOOK INTO THE CAMPAIGN TRANSFORMING OUR CAMPUS AND THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

LEADING THE WAY FORWARD

Many alums remember the scene: a Lower School teacher kneeling in the hallway with a few Wildcats for smallgroup instruction while world language teachers squeezed past with carts on the way to their next classroom.

Across campus, the robotics team worked out of a repurposed maintenance closet—parts and tools covering every surface as they prepped for competition. In the basement of Askew Hall, WCAT students produced a broadcast, while the narrow hallway upstairs buzzed with group projects and last-minute quizzing between classes. Learning was outgrowing the classrooms, and the campus needed to catch up.

As the need to adapt both teaching and learning became apparent, trustees recognized that space mattered. A campus planning committee of trustees, faculty, and senior leadership formed and asked a simple question: If the mission is to grow leaders of conscience for Atlanta and the world, how can our spaces help facilitate experiences that will shape future leaders? The answer wasn’t a project list—it was an approach. The campus itself needed to teach and inspire so learning could happen both in classrooms and the spaces in between.

At the outset, the work was grounded in Westminster’s longstanding commitments: defining academic excellence, creating a unique student experience, and serving Atlanta and the world. The committee translated those promises into three design themes—building community, strengthening connections, and

“Westminster is ever becoming. We’re contemptuous of complacency. Always imagining how it can be more and lean more into its aspirations for its faculty and students.”

JIM

JUSTICE

DEAN OF ACADEMICS AND CURRICULUM

putting learning and leadership on display—allowing the campus itself to teach.

Teachers and students mapped where learning actually happened—and pictured the environments that would let it flourish. From there, the master plan took shape as a framework, not a floor plan. Early priorities centered on the Upper School campus, where a reimagined academic experience could connect people and disciplines. Campbell Hall would be transformed from the inside out—larger, brighter rooms and hallways that double as extensions of learning—while a new academic building, Hawkins Hall, would add a multistory innovation lab and muchneeded places to gather socially or for collaborative learning. The plan also called for a refreshed Quad—an outdoor classroom and gathering space—and Barge Commons, a welcoming front

door where Westminster could host the world and connect students to the life of the city and beyond, and The Blake Center, a dedicated home for innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and creative exploration in the heart of campus.

Tomas Rossant, lead architect with Ennead, put it simply: “We found a campus full of tradition and students overflowing with curiosity; the architecture needed to honor both.” The idea was mission-first and needsdriven: carry on the brick-andlimestone aesthetic established at our founding, and open up classrooms and the spaces between them for light, visibility, and the chance run-ins that spark creativity and collaboration. In short, let the places show what the School values.

On the pages ahead, you’ll discover how that shared plan has come to life and is helping us lead the way for our Wildcats to learn, grow, and connect.

As part of the campus transformation, the Campbell Hall renovation opened up darker, closed-off classrooms (above) into bright, open, and collaborative spaces for Upper School students and faculty (right).

The campus is a physical manifestation of all that we value— community, belonging, creativity, curiosity.

“Each chapter in the history of Westminster is marked by keen vision and heroic investments that allowed the School to seize a moment and accelerate into the future.”

KEITH EVANS, PRESIDENT

CAMPUS TRANSFORMATION: BY THE NUMBERS

166,641 additional square feet added throughout campus

60,600 square feet of renovated space 32% of the campus is new or renovated

68% more Upper School collaborative space

20 new classrooms and 12 new innovation spaces

TRANSFORMING OUR CAMPUS

Visit campus and you’ll see the remarkable transformation brought on by Lead On: The Campaign for Westminster. Areas that were old, dark, and closed off have been replaced by spaces that are light, bright, and transparent. Our students have spaces to connect, collaborate, and create. Learning is unbound. They’re designing, inventing, and problem-solving. All Wildcats, from youngest to oldest, now have the tools and technology for an unmatched educational journey.

This transformation is due to the remarkable generosity of the Westminster community. Campuses grow and develop through philanthropy. Through the Lead On Campaign, our community has invested in each other and our School. With your continued support, we can do

This campaign is about leadership, legacy, future readiness, and providing the best student experience for each and every Wildcat.

even more. This campaign has allowed us to dream about what our campus could become—full of innovative spaces designed for a new era of learning. Our planning has been intentional, iterative, and collaborative.

Throughout the Lead On Campaign, we have remained committed to five themes:

• Expressing our founding values in our community and on our campus

• Deepening the impact of Westminster’s unique student experience

• Building community and fostering connection

• Learning in transparent and flexible settings

• Serving Atlanta and developing leaders of conscience for our city, nation, and world

Each of these themes reminds us of who we are as a school and what we hope to achieve for our students. Every space has been transformed in the spirit of supporting these themes, and with your partnership, we can do even more.

2012

Westminster’s Board of Trustees approves “For College and For Life” Strategic Plan— outlining critical goals and priorities.

2017-18

Board of Trustees approves campus plan.

2018

The Lead On Campaign launches its leadership phase.

2019 Phase I of campus construction begins.

(above) In 2023, construction began on the expansion and renovation of Love Hall, including the construction of Taylor Auditorium, a new community space for assemblies, guest speakers, birthday celebrations, and more. (right) Hawkins Hall provides spaces for all types of student activity including collaborations with classmates.

The first phase of campus construction included renovations to Campbell Hall and the addition of Hawkins Hall (pictured here in 2020)–providing Upper School students with expanded classrooms and additional space for innovation, study, collaboration, and dining.

THE VISION IS CLEAR: TO LEAD WHAT’S POSSIBLE.

OURS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CLEAR VISION: to lead what’s possible in education and to push beyond limitations. That vision, powered by the success of Lead On: The Campaign for Westminster, has dramatically reimagined and reshaped our campus. Here’s how it unfolded.

old meets new:

Members of the Love family, including (from left to right) David Love ’90, Keith Love ’79, Cal Love Jennison ’76, Jimmy Love ’75, and Dennis Love ’74, break ground on the Love Hall expansion on May 15, 2023.

The newly expanded and renovated Love Hall features spaces that inspire innovation and connection including, five labs for Design Thinking and Visual Arts and the Learning Commons.

2020

Campbell Hall, Hawkins Hall, Schoen Community Plaza, Schoen Dining Plaza, the Parking Deck, and a renovated Alfred E. Thompson Stadium open.

2021

Barge Commons opens, becoming the new “front door” of the Westminster experience and a community gathering space.

2024

Renovated and expanded Love Hall opens

2026

The Blake Center and Historic Quad open.

Where

Young Wildcats check in on the construction progress of Hawkins Hall in 2019 from their vantage point in Pressly Hall’s Carlyle Fraser Library.

SPACE MATTERS.

Our campus is also a teacher, an enabler, and a catalyst.

Where we learn is as critical as what we learn. This is some of what Lead On: The Campaign for Westminster is making possible for our community.

“The buildings were never conceived as statements or symbols, but as deliberate responses to how learning actually happens—spaces designed to support curiosity, rigor, and connection. What stands today reflects a consistent point of view: that architecture should serve purpose.”

TONI BOYD VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

Our new spaces allow for deeper encounters with the material, encourage more interaction and productive collisions, and make learning visible.

To date, we’ve nearly tripled the amount of space for classrooms, labs, and other learning spaces—including six integrated learning labs.

More than 20,000 square feet of student social and study space now exists throughout the Upper School.

Hawkins Hall provides us 28,000 square feet of Upper School academic space—and includes the Catalyst STEAM lab and The Brewer Cafe.

Schoen Plaza connects our community before events at Alfred E. Thompson Stadium, while the McGahan Family Press Box and The Kellett Concession Stand help create a memorable fan experience.

We increased parking with more than 400 spots in our new parking deck—

allowing easier community access and participation.

Love Hall, our renovated and expanded 30,000square-foot Lower School is open and inviting with two art labs, three design thinking labs, six collaboration areas, and a 400-seat auditorium.

New hallways and community spaces are filled with natural light and flexible seating to spark collaboration and connection.

The Goizueta Center for Innovation now extends across Westminster's Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools through dedicated innovation spaces, helping students explore problemseeking, questioning, prototyping, collaborating, and communicating in dynamic ways.

The campus redesign is a physical manifestation of all that we value: community, belonging, creativity, and intense curiosity.

A three-story atrium in HAWKINS HALL connects students with social and study spaces, while an experimental learning lab for professional development allows faculty to explore project-based learning and virtual reality.

INSPIRING COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION.

A new gateway to our campus, Atlanta, and the world.

At Westminster, we are always eager for our next opportunity to connect with the broader Atlanta community and the world beyond campus. Through the Lead On Campaign, we’re emphasizing creative collaboration and partnership. Why? Because two (or three or four or more) heads can be better than one. When we work together, we open our minds to new ideas that challenge our thinking, enrich our problem-solving, and allow us to see not just through our own lens but through the lens of others. The campus transformation at the heart of the Lead On Campaign including Barge Commons, Westminster’s new front door—has enabled an abundance of space for exactly those types of unique interactions. World, welcome to Westminster.

OUR REVITALIZED HISTORIC QUAD is yet another space designed to build community. Investing in this space means energizing the very center of campus. It is more than our center green space. It is an outdoor space for learning and socializing—a mixing ground of interaction between faculty and students.

HISTORIC QUAD

SCHOEN COMMUNITY PLAZA brings together Wildcats for important social and community events. (Stop off at The Kellett Concession Stand!) The Plaza leads to an upgraded experience at Thompson Stadium with seating for up to 2,000 spectators, new home and visitor locker rooms, a state-of-the-art press box, and coaches’ boxes. To further welcome people into our campus community, we added a new 400-spot parking deck located near Barge Commons.

“Westminster is a world-class school with a worldclass faculty and administration, and it deserves physical facilities to match that.”

JOHN BARGE, ’64

BARGE COMMONS makes Westminster a school of and for Atlanta. As our gateway to campus, it adds nearly 50,000 square feet in gathering space and welcomes the broader community into our campus. Featuring a 200-person lecture hall, classrooms and boardrooms, and a catering kitchen, this space is open to local, national, and global nonprofit organizations. For our students, it becomes a space to observe and participate in real-world leadership experiences. We’ve brought the world to Westminster and our students grow exponentially because of it.

SCHOEN COMMUNITY PLAZA

“The Lead On Campaign shows our evolution. That’s what makes Westminster excellent. Innovation requires aspiration.”

DR.

CHANLEY SMALL ’87 HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

BUILT FOR COLLABORATION.

And creativity, curiosity, and community.

Long has our thinking outpaced our spaces. Now, our campus physically reflects our most deeply held beliefs and values: community, belonging, creativity, and curiosity.

Lead On has brought us together as champions for a campus transformation rooted in collaboration. Any new or revamped space should, first and foremost, be designed to bring people together and facilitate deep collaboration. We wanted to think together, build together, and invent together. From innovation labs to new flexible classroom spaces, our campus is now designed to bring people together. We’ve intentionally created space for teachers to meet and work with students and spaces dedicated entirely to student study spaces. We want flexible, fluid spaces that can easily reconfigure to the needs of the people using them.

That’s what we’re achieving through Lead On and this campus transformation.

Before Lead On, the last addition to our campus was Clarkson Hall two decades ago. We needed new vision to match the energy of our community. That vision, drawn from Westminster’s “Learning for Life” strategic plan in the early 2010s, prioritized integrating studies, problem-solving, making learning visible, collaboration, and connection. Our mission—as Westminster leadership, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents—is to always evolve the way we do things for our Wildcats.

Our promise—as Westminster leadership, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents—is to meet the aspirations of our students, which requires that we continue to evolve.

Every choice you see on the Westminster campus directly and intentionally delivers on that vision. Together, teachers and students mapped out where learning actually happened and pictured the environments that would let learning flourish.

Now we’re engaging Wildcats in new ways and advancing how we learn as a community. There are maker spaces and labs that take students deep into robotics, engineering, architecture, and programming. In Campbell Hall, students have comfortable places to work or hang out between classes. There are study nooks and collaborative study spaces. We prioritized flexible and adaptable classrooms, and natural light now streams into our learning spaces.

Here, the learning experience is not meant to be a purely solo endeavor. Instead, we view it as something to be pursued together. Today, our spaces are open, transparent, and collaborative.

Discover more about how Westminster’s new spaces have transformed how students learn, collaborate, and connect.

THE BLAKE CENTER

40,000 square feet of new space at the heart of campus

10+ informal collaboration spaces

1,360 square feet for robotics and engineering

1 outdoor tech plaza

9 innovation labs

A new home for our award-winning WCAT and StudioW

4,030 square feet of visual arts classroom space

DESIGNED TO CULTIVATE CURIOSITY.

THE BLAKE CENTER REPRESENTS THE CULMINATION OF OUR REIMAGINED CAMPUS PLAN.

At the heart of campus, The Blake Center provides dedicated spaces for some of our most dynamic, futurefocused endeavors under one roof for the first time. It is an incubator for ambitious ideas and creative exploration—a true home for Westminster innovation. The Blake Center promotes collaboration between a variety of disciplines and provides students with opportunities to showcase and

test their ideas and work. In the past, hallmark programs like WCAT, robotics, and visual and digital arts existed in found spaces on campus. Now, programs inhabit stateof-the-art spaces built to suit individual program needs.

Student-run, award-winning WCAT and StudioW have broadcast and editing suites on the second floor. The third floor is dedicated to the visual arts. The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will continue to drive innovation across the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools, featuring a Goizueta Catalyst Hub on the Quad level

“Frank and I have both been impressed with the commitment Westminster has to innovation starting at the Lower School and continuing through the Middle and Upper Schools—all with excellence at the highest possible level.”

LIZ BLAKE TRUSTEE

and the Goizueta Catalyst Plaza, which connects with the Middle School’s Goizueta Catalyst Hub.

“The Blake Center will mold a generation of Wildcats,” says Dr. Chanley Small ’87, Head of Upper School, “who are courageous problem-solvers, willing and able to go out into the world, tackle complex challenges, and become the leaders of tomorrow.”

This is how we lead on into the future.

Dear Wildcats,

As we look around campus today, it’s clear that Westminster is in a moment of extraordinary possibility. Every new space and corner of our facilities reflects the vision, generosity, and shared purpose of this community.

Your belief in Westminster, and in what this School makes possible for young people, has brought us to this defining point in our story. Because of you, our students are learning, leading, and discovering in ways that honor our founding vision and values while pointing boldly toward the future.

But this milestone is not an ending. Even as we celebrate all that has been achieved to date through the Lead On Campaign, our work continues. Fundraising priorities—including the completion and funding of our new facilities and the ongoing support of The Westminster Fund—remain vital to fulfilling the vision that has guided this effort from the start. I invite you to join us in continuing this work and help shape what comes next for Westminster.

Because of the generosity and belief of this community, Westminster will continue to open doors, inspire excellence, and lead with purpose and promise into all that comes next.

With gratitude,

EMILIE HENRY VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

ARE YOU READY TO

LEAD ON?

Our campaign and this momentum is far from done. From here, we must continue to LEAD ON. And that takes you.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN AND HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

The Campaign for Westminster

New Trustees

Each school year brings in new members of Westminster’s esteemed Board of Trustees. This year, we welcomed three new members who are involved in the School community as parents, alumni, or both. Each of these trustees are accomplished in their fields and are sure to bring a wide range of skills and insights to our School.

By Communications Intern Margaret Brown

SARAH HAWKINS WARREN ’00, P ’32, ’35

Sarah Hawkins Warren ’00 is the Presiding Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, having been appointed to the bench by Governor Nathan Deal in 2018.

After graduating from Westminster, Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in public policy and Spanish and graduated magna cum laude from Duke University. Sarah went on to serve as Deputy Press Secretary for the White House Office of Management and Budget. She then went back to Duke to receive her JD, magna cum laude once again, and served as Editor in Chief of Law and Contemporary Problems at the law school. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Bolch Judicial Institute (Duke Law) and on the Berry College Board of Trustees.

Sarah is excited to join the Westminster Board of Trustees and looks forward to contributing strategic thinking to the School’s leadership and support to its faculty to ensure the best possible learning environment for students. She calls herself a “big fan” of JanTerm, both for the unique opportunities that the program affords every Wildcat and the fact that her elementary and middle school-aged children are on the path to enjoy the special class experiences.

From her days at Westminster and a top-tier university to the White House and then the highest court in the state, Sarah has been inspired by those who work hard, believe in something bigger than self, and treat people with kindness. She brings those Wildcat values, combined with advocacy and a “pay-it-forward” attitude, to Westminster’s Board.

Sarah’s current book:

“I’m currently reading a number of books about journeys people have taken on the Camino de Santiago and am plotting a future trip to walk part of it with my oldest daughter.”

ALEX TAYLOR

P’32, ’34, ’38

Alex Taylor has led Cox Enterprises through significant transformation in his eight years as CEO, restructuring the company’s core operating businesses in broadband, automotive services, sustainable agriculture, and media while amplifying its strengths, chief among them the company’s employee-centric and customer-focused culture.

Alex aims to bring a similar perspective to Westminster. He believes that the job of a trustee is to be a “responsible steward of the organization's ethos.” Alex is honored to have the opportunity to assist Westminster through modern changes all while retaining its long-standing legacy and traditions.

During his time as CEO, Alex has focused on cultivating a commitment to innovation throughout Cox’s 50,000 employees across the globe. He has enabled company leaders to invest in Cox’s core businesses to enhance customer service, while also advocating for new investments and strategic mergers and acquisitions in companies specializing in connectivity, mobility, and sustainability. Guided by this attitude and Alex’s leadership, Cox Industries has invested more than $2 billion in sustainable businesses focused on clean technology.

Alex’s involvement in multiple civic and philanthropic organizations demonstrates his caring commitment and leadership. He serves on the Atlanta Committee for Progress, an assembly of CEOs who work with the mayor on major issues facing the city, such as workforce development, crime reduction, and public education. He also serves as a board member of the PATH foundation and the Carter Center Board of Councilors as well as the Vanderbilt Board of Trust, the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Board, and the Atlantic Salmon Federation.

Alex is invested in Westminster and the lives of students as they not only grow as intellectuals and athletes, but also leaders. “Westminster’s long legacy as an excellent school for children is one I'm honored to be a part of,” he says.

Alex’s favorite book:

Battle for the Island Kingdom by Don Hollway: It’s about the 100 years leading up to the invasion of William the Conqueror. Also Hero of Two Worlds, the story of the Marquis de Lafayette, one of the most fascinating and whirlwind lives of anyone in history.

WILL STENGEL P ’28,

’31, ’32

Will Stengel, President and CEO of Genuine Parts Company, believes that rapid technological innovation is reshaping every industry—creating an environment where bold, inspirational leaders are essential. He sees Westminster’s guiding principle, “Tomorrow calls for a new kind of leader,” as a perfect reflection of the mindset needed to navigate this dynamic future. Inspired by this mission, Will joins the Board of Trustees alongside others committed to furthering Westminster’s success.

Will began his career at Genuine Parts Company (GPC) in November 2019, initially serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, then Chief Operating Officer, before being named President and CEO in June 2024.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Trinity College and an MBA with concentrations in strategy and finance from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management.

Prior to GPC, Will spent 15 years at HD Supply, where he held multiple leadership positions, including CEO of its Facilities Maintenance division. Earlier in his career, he worked in strategic business development at The Home Depot and in investment banking. Will's professional achievements are matched by a deep commitment to community service. He serves on the boards of TAMKO Building Products; Skyland Trail, a nonprofit mental health treatment organization; and the Shepherd Center, a renowned neurorehabilitation facility for spinal cord and brain injuries.

A Westminster parent, Will has seen firsthand the transformative impact the School has had on his three sons, all current students. Excited to support Westminster’s continued momentum and growth, he’s particularly drawn to what he sees as the School’s greatest strength: “The diversity of tailored experiences it offers, whether in academics, extracurriculars, or athletics. These opportunities equip students with the tools to learn, solve problems, build meaningful relationships, and develop leadership skills that will serve them for life.”

Will’s favorite quote:

“If it’s a job worth doing, it’s a job worth doing right.” – Will’s parents It captures many important values that are at the core of being a good leader and earning opportunity: work ethic, determination, leading by example, pride in your work, and the pursuit of excellence.

Thank You!

Igniting a Future of Possibilities

Every gift to The Westminster Fund is a spark that helps ignite a future of possibilities for our students and faculty–fueling innovation, curiosity, and imagination that extends far beyond the classroom. The collective generosity of Westminster’s alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and volunteers ensures that every one of our 1,891 students has the resources and opportunities to thrive. Together, our Wildcat community is enriching today’s educational experience and helping to launch the next generation of leaders into the world.

2024-25 Westminster Fund Highlights

$5,147,040

1,800

867

“To me, there isn’t really a better place to begin than Westminster. From the very first day of pre-first to the very last day of senior year, the School nurtures the whole learner intellectually, athletically, artistically, and personally. It creates an environment that challenges students to strive for excellence, but also supports them in developing resilience, compassion, and curiosity. In doing so, the School successfully prepares Wildcats to succeed in college and thrive beyond the classroom.

Supporting Westminster through giving is about more than sustaining a tradition. It's about investing in the future of students who will go on to make meaningful contributions in their communities and in the world. Each gift helps ensure that Westminster remains at the forefront of academics, athletics, and the performing arts, continuing to offer opportunities that inspire students to discover their full potential. In doing so, we are empowering the next generation to lead, to serve, and to excel as scholars and as individuals.”

—Ryan Chambliss ’20

“Westminster has provided three generations of our family with a great education, lifelong friendships, and fond memories. In addition to our children, who both attended Westminster, we now have three grandchildren in the Lower and Middle Schools. In recognition of what Westminster has given to us and our family, we have sought to give back to the School through annual giving, capital campaigns, and the Georgia GOAL tax credit program, as well as our wills. Just as we have been inspired by the gifts of others to Westminster, we hope that our commitment to giving (small as it is) will encourage others to give."

Debbie Reed Hudson ’69 and Paul Hudson ’67, P ’99, ’02

“Our family supports The Westminster Fund because it powers programs like JanTerm, allowing students to discover their potential and prepare for life beyond the gates. Through JanTerm, our students have a rare opportunity to focus deeply on an area of interest and engage in meaningful, real-world learning. Whether through internships, creative projects, or specific courses, these experiences not only strengthen critical thinking and problemsolving skills, but also inspire curiosity and confidence that can carry into future college and career success.”

—Carolyn and Joe Patterson P ’32

Westminster Fund Parent Giving Chairs, 2025-26

Your gift to The Westminster Fund fuels Lead On: The Campaign for Westminster. Learn more about the transformative impact of the Lead On Campaign on pages 33 thru 52.

SPRING SPORTS 2025

Boys Lacrosse

The Boys Lacrosse team battled through a competitive schedule to finish second in Region 7 and advance to the second round of the Division 1 GHSA State Playoffs. Captain Mason Theis ’25 led the team with exemplary perseverance and earned First Team All-State honors. Brand Morgan ’25 earned Second Team All-State with Bennet O’Brian ’27 receiving an Honorable Mention. Nate Jackson ’25 capped off his high school career with the prestigious Academic All-American award. Mason has continued his lacrosse journey at Tufts University.

Girls Lacrosse

The LaxCats showed grit and growth throughout the season, earning a trip to the second round of the GHSA State Tournament after finishing third in a tough Area 7. Cate Collier ’25 earned First Team All-Area and Second Team All-State honors. She was joined on the All-Area First Team by Madison Townsend ’25 and Colby Frieden ’26, who were also named to the USA Lacrosse All-Academic Team. Issy Banks ’25 capped off her career by setting the School’s all-time saves record, and Caroline Kent ’26 and Drew Watkins ’27 earned All-Area Honorable Mentions. The team’s determination and standout individual achievements made for a memorable season.

By Communications Intern Margaret Brown

Boys Track and Field

The Boys TrackCats persevered through a tough year, ultimately securing a strong 10th-place finish at the State Championship after placing fourth in the Region 6A Championships. Braedon Willis ’25 had a top 10 all-time performance in discus and earned third in the state. Rohan Gazula also had a top 10 all-time performance in both the 400-meter and 800-meter races, while Jacob Jacquot ’26 had a top 10 all-time performance in the 400-meter and 800-meter events and was third in state in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meters.

Girls Track and Field

Girls Track and Field sprinted to an exceptional finish this season, capturing the GHSA AAAA State Championship and the Region 6A title. The dominant 4 x 400-meter relay team, composed of Jaina Alexander ’28, Marci Kinerman ’25, Caryssa Snyder ’26, and Lucy Johnson ’25, set a school record while claiming the State Championship title. Lucy Johnson, who has continued her running career at Washington University in St. Louis, also earned top 10 all-time marks in the 400-meter, 1,600-meter, 3,200-meter, and 4 x 400-meter races. Fellow seniors Madison Townsend and Marci Kinerman, who have continued their track careers at the University of Virginia and Babson College, both left their marks with school records in the pole vault and 100 meters, respectively. Caroline deButts ’28, Caryssa Snyder, Jaina Alexander, and Alero Egbe ’27 each notched top 10 all-time performances and strong state finishes, with Alero earning runner-up in the discus. Madison was also honored as an Atlanta Track Club All-Metro selection.

Boys Soccer

Back-to-back championships was a recurring and joyous theme for the Boys Soccer team. Not only did they once again win the Region Championship title, but they also repeated at the 2025 Smoky Mountain Cup. The season culminated in a momentous win at the 2025 GHSA AAAA State Championship for the second consecutive year! Will Stewart ’25, Owen Mattingly ’27, and Sam Wyler ’25 were named AllRegion First Team, with Joshua Potier ’28, Julian Weinstein ’25, and Anderson Lee ’26 earning All-Region Second Team honors. Will has taken his skills to the University of Chicago, while Sam will play at Macalester College. For his incredible ability and leadership of this team, Coach Scott Snyder was awarded United Soccer Coaches Georgia Independent Schools Coach of the Year.

Girls Soccer

The Girls KickCats established a strong foothold for success this season, placing third in Region and making it to the second round of the playoffs. Caroline Moseley ’25 left an impressive mark, earning All-Region First Team along with All-State Second Team. Stella Cronan ’28 and Mutheu Mbuvi ’28 were also named All-Region First Team, while Brooke Barned ’28 and Charlotte Moseley ’28 made All-Region Second Team. Eloisa Bloom ’25 earned All-Region Academic Team, an honor extended to only one player per team. Both Caroline and Elena Garcia ’25 participated in the DiVarsity All-Star Game and have taken their skills to the collegiate level, with Elena attending Wellesley College and Caroline attending Furman University.

Boys Tennis

The Boys NetCats aced their season yet again! They secured both the Region and State championships with an impressive 20-5 record. The best singles record was that of Landon Cummings ’26 at 14-2. The best doubles records belonged to Deven Patel ’25, 16-7; Neal Jindal ’26, 13-5; Dev Katarya ’27, 13-5; and Dhruv Polsani ’28, 12-4. The career record, all matches, went to Deven with a record of 40-16.

Girls Tennis

The Lady Wildcats netted both the Region Championship Title and the 2025 State Championship Title! Both Varsity and JV showed their prowess on the court by remaining undefeated for the entirety of the incredible season. They also won the Heart of Georgia tournament in March, besting West Forsyth in a tense finale. Captain Shea Pettit ’25 had a career record of 55-4 and undoubtedly led the team with strong skill and determination. Underclassman Mary Kate Monk ’28 clinched the state championship point, demonstrating the talent and depth of this special team.

Baseball

The BatCats wrapped up a strong season by earning a spot in the GHSA AAAA State Baseball Tournament. Senior standout Calvin McBurney ’25, now at Brown University, led the charge and was named First Team AllRegion. Kyle Coleman ’25, Henry Deriso ’25, and Houston Gragnani ’25 each earned Second Team All-Region honors. Jackson Hausner ’25 has continued his baseball journey at Wooster College, and Kyle has continued his athletic career at Belmont University. Their dedication and teamwork were evident all season long.

Rowing

The CrewCats had a terrific season on the water and across the country. At the Al Urquia Regatta in Fairfax Station, Virginia, every boat qualified for finals. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the Stotesbury Cup, the largest high school regatta, the Junior 8+ qualified for the semifinals. This year, for the first time in program history, the 1st Varsity 8+ earned a bid to the SRAA (Scholastic Rowing Association of America) National Championships, where the team sent two boats, the Varsity 8+ and the Junior 8+. Three rowers have continued their time on the water, with Ava Kelly ’25 attending University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Diya Varma ’25 matriculating to Gonzaga, and Greta Ferro ’25 attending Trinity College.

Gymnastics

The GymCats flew through an amazing season, landing them third place in the GHSA A-AAAA State Gymnastics Meet! Standout senior, Elizabeth Stone ’25, qualified individually for State on the vault. Captains Elizabeth Stone, Margaret Monin ’25, and Caroline Dolan ’25 led the team with skill and determination, establishing a strong performance and leadership foundation for future GymCat teams.

Boys Golf

The Wildcats had an exceptional year on the links, finishing third at the Area Tournament, second at the Sectional Tournament, and ninth at the State Tournament. The team covered a lot of ground in addition to their drives, playing from Savannah to Carrollton to Spartanburg, South Carolina. The team was led by Jake Kercher ’25 and Bo Cary ’26, who both beat their personal best scores in tournaments this year. Bo was also named AAAA All-State Honorable Mention.

Girls Golf

The Lady Wildcats enjoyed a spring of low scores and high finishes, leading to the Area 4 AAAA championship. The team advanced to the AAAA state finals, where it claimed third place. Jessy Young ’25 was an Area low medalist with a 70, ultimately enjoying First Team AAAA All-State honors. Sophia Yin ’27 shot a 75 at Area— her personal best! Jessy has taken her talents to the next level at Washington University in St. Louis this fall.

SIGNING DAY

In 2025, we celebrated 22 student-athletes continuing both their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. Through all the late-night games, early morning wake-ups, and hot afternoon practices, these athletes persisted, all while excelling in the classroom. Their dedication paid off, leading them to 18 different schools across the country. We’re excited to cheer them on and watch their progress in this next phase of life and their athletic career. Congratulations, Cats!

• Michael Buhay, Washington University in St. Louis (Football)

• Kyle Coleman, Belmont University (Baseball)

• Trevor Dempsey, Lafayette University (Diving)

• Greta Ferro, Trinity College (Rowing)

• Elena Garcia, Wellesley College (Soccer)

• Jackson Hausner, College of Wooster (Baseball)

• Johnny Jackson, Hampden-Sydney College (Football)

• Cody Ji, Harvard University (Fencing)

• Sophia Jo, Harvard University (Volleyball)

• Lucy Johnson, Washington University in St. Louis (Cross Country and Track)

• Ava Kelly, University of Massachusetts Amherst (Rowing)

• Marci Kinerman, Babson College (Track and Field)

• Calvin McBurney, Brown University (Baseball)

• Rian Merchant, Carnegie Mellon University (Tennis)

• Caroline Moseley, Furman University (Soccer)

• Lily Nastopolous, Washington and Lee University (Cross Country and Track)

• Will Stewart, University of Chicago (Soccer)

• Mason Theis, Tufts University (Lacrosse)

• Madison Townsend, University of Virginia (Track and Field)

• Diya Varma, Gonzaga University (Rowing)

• Sam Wyler, Macalester College (Soccer)

• Jessy Young, Washington University in St. Louis (Golf)

WESTMINSTER FOOTBALL: COACH ROMBERG HONORED FOR LEGENDARY CAREER

For more than three decades, Gerry Romberg set the standard for Westminster football. The winningest football coach in School history—and in the history of Atlanta and Fulton County high school football—Gerry embodied the grit, leadership, and loyalty that became hallmarks of his teams.

In August 2025, the Touchdown Club of Atlanta (TCA) recognized Coach Romberg with its Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his extraordinary contribution to the game of football in Georgia.

“Coach Romberg has had one of the most storied careers in Georgia high school football history,” said Lee Caswell ’11, who introduced his coach at the ceremony.

By the time he retired in 2025, Coach Romberg had earned an impressive 239 total wins—placing him among a select group of Georgia coaches to surpass 200 career victories. Since 1992, he guided the Wildcats to 27 state playoff appearances, seven region titles, four semifinal appearances, and the 2015 Class AAA State Championship. That title game, played in the Georgia Dome, featured the largest comeback in state championship history as the Wildcats became the first team ever to win all five playoff games on the road.

Only four football coaches in state history have served a single school longer than Coach Romberg did at Westminster. Along the way, he coached more than 850 players, with more than 100 going on to compete at the collegiate level, and four advancing to the NFL.

“Through the culture he created, he made us brothers, he made us a family,” Caswell said. “Coach, thank you for everything.”

From hard-earned championships to countless lasting relationships, Coach Romberg’s legacy is one of uniting Wildcats across generations, building bonds of brotherhood and pride that extend far beyond the field.

Faculty and Staff

Juliet Allan

Upper School Dean of Academics, Science, 25 years

Juliet Allan retired last year after a career of leading a remarkable array of initiatives, many that formed the foundation of the Upper School academic program we know today. Juliet joined the Westminster faculty in 2000, teaching chemistry and physics and serving as the Upper School science chair from 2009 to 2011. A student favorite and a widely respected colleague, Juliet especially thrived in bringing new, often ambitious ideas to life in the Upper School.

In 2010, Juliet chaired a committee to explore the feasibility of a one-to-one laptop program at Westminster. Soon, she became the Dean of Instructional Technology and led the implementation of the program while building the support structure for students and faculty.

When Westminster joined Global Online Academy, Juliet was the first site director. As the School’s robotics program grew in both

Farewells

In their more than 200 years of collective service to Westminster, the 12 faculty and staff members who retired during the 202425 school year left a profound mark on the School. Through their leadership, kindness, and dedication to learning, these teachers, coaches, and administrators have helped shape a generation—or more—of emerging leaders and forward thinkers. Developing some of the School’s current programs and policies, they have elevated the Wildcat experience, leaving a lasting impact on our Westminster community.

size and impact, she took the reins in developing a sound budget and ensuring its sustainability. In 2021, Juliet became the Upper School Dean of Academics, bringing her breadth of experience and inexhaustible energy to the role at Westminster. Along the way, Juliet’s contributions were recognized with the Joseph and Amelia Craver Endowed Professorship (2011) and the Robert M. Sims Endowed Chair in Science (2019).

Juliet’s legacy plays out day to day in the lives of our students, and we are a stronger school and a healthier community because of her service.

Kim Avery

Controller, 7 years

Kim Avery retired in September 2025, concluding a remarkable 40-year career in accounting and finance, including notable leadership roles in public accounting, Fortune 500 companies, and complex nonprofit organizations. We are grateful that Kim chose Westminster as her final professional chapter, dedicating the last seven years to serving as our controller. In that time, Kim has supported the School’s mission with exceptional skill, professionalism, and heartfelt kindness.

Kim has an extraordinary talent for inspiring everyone around her to be better, consistently elevating her team’s performance through her genuine care and impeccable standards. She has created a culture of mutual support and respect in the Business Office by making it feel like a family away from home for all who have had the privilege to work alongside her.

As she steps into retirement, Kim looks forward to traveling, gardening, volunteering, and cherishing moments with family— especially with her great-niece Scottie, who was born in November 2024.

We are incredibly grateful for Kim’s remarkable service to Westminster and wish her joy and fulfillment in this next adventure.

Paige Barber Middle School Band, 17 years

Beginning in 2008, Paige Barber inspired countless Wildcats with her spirited leadership of the Westminster band program. As both a Middle and Upper School Band Director, Paige brought energy, innovation, and joy to students across campus at a time when a single band program spanned the whole school. Paige officially retired in fall 2024, marking the conclusion of a remarkable 30-year teaching career.

Drawn to Westminster’s collaborative team approach, Paige quickly became a beloved presence among students and faculty alike. She made music accessible and fun, trading traditional concert formal wear for a more informal look and infusing performances with popular, high-energy selections that resonated with young musicians. Making music with Paige was meant to be a joyful experience, and the program grew significantly during her tenure as a result.

Paige’s impact extended beyond Westminster’s campus. As a gifted clarinetist and percussionist, she performed with the DeKalb, Greensboro, and Charlotte symphony orchestras, as well as the National Opera Orchestra. For years, she has also led the Georgia Brass Band’s percussion section with dedication and flair. Thanks to a Davis Family Grant, Paige studied traditional bagpipes in Scotland and Wales—an experience that sparked a new passion she continues to pursue through virtual lessons from overseas.

As Paige welcomes this next chapter, we wish her a rich and rewarding retirement!

Karen Beaty

Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Business and Finance, 8 years

Karen Beaty retired in January 2025 after eight wonderful years serving Westminster as Assistant to the Vice President of Operations and Finance. Karen’s impact, however, extended far beyond her role. She was a devoted friend to everyone she met with a ready smile and a kind word–and rarely missed an opportunity to share her passionate support of her beloved University of South Carolina Gamecocks.

Whether coordinating the many initiatives underway in the Business Office or managing the preparation for trustee meetings, Karen’s energy and infectious optimism brightened every interaction. She was often the quiet force behind the success of more visible leaders and took pride in bringing a spirit of joy to her work. It was not uncommon to find colleagues inventing reasons to visit the Business Office just for the chance to enjoy a conversation or laugh with Karen.

Karen’s 53-year career included extensive experience in the banking industry and dedicated support to nonprofit organizations. In retirement, Karen has enjoyed gardening, spending time with Jim, her husband of 45 years, as well as their son, Will, and dog, Finney. Her plans also include frequent trips to Myrtle Beach and, of course, avidly following all things related to University of South Carolina athletics.

We are so thankful for Karen’s heartfelt dedication and wish her a wonderful retirement.

Sara Chapman ’76

First-Grade Teacher, 28 years

Since 1997, Sara Chapman has faithfully greeted some of our newest Wildcats to Love Hall and to first grade. Her former students remember a warm and wise presence that skillfully guided them through what seemed like a miracle–learning to read. That miracle (and many others) was revealed through Sara’s patience, experience, and devotion to the craft of teaching young learners.

Sara’s teaching has been recognized repeatedly throughout her time at Westminster. She has been the recipient of the Alumni Award (2005), the Merrill Award (2009), the Rollins Award (2014), and the Schoen Faculty of Excellence Award (2023).

Sara’s contributions to Westminster extended well beyond the classroom. As a former parent and Westminster alum, Sara has been engaged in advancement activities ranging from serving as The Westminster Fund Faculty Division Chair to leading Reunion activities for her class. A beloved teacher and the consummate professional in the classroom, Sara has also been a high-impact volunteer, building support across different Wildcat constituencies. It is a special gift to be able to connect with such a range of people of all ages and backgrounds.

Sarah has set a standard of sustained excellence in both teaching and devotion to our School, and we are grateful.

Jeanne Lucey

Third-Grade Teacher, 28 years

Since joining the Love Hall faculty in 1997, Jeanne Lucey has been a devoted and integral member of the Westminster community, establishing a well-earned reputation for being a skilled teacher and taking care to know each of her third-grade students and their unique needs.

Jeanne’s exemplary career at Westminster was recognized in 2001 when she received the Merrill Award and again in 2013 when she was named Goizueta Foundation Faculty of Distinction. In those years, and all of the years in between, Jeanne instilled in her students the confidence to take risks in the classroom while also ensuring that they were maturing into young people of integrity and independence. There are no more important gifts a teacher can offer her students.

And Jeanne brought this same spirit to her coaching responsibilities in our golf program. Jeanne’s encouraging leadership with the Junior Varsity Girls Golf team has been a catalyst for many to fully embrace this challenging sport.

Jeanne’s 28 years of selfless service to Westminster has made an incredible impact on our students and their families, and we wish her the best in her next chapter!

Agnes Matheson

Upper School Language Teacher, 17 years

Agnes Matheson retired from Westminster at the end of the 2024-25 school year after two distinct tours of duty with the Wildcats. Agnes’ first run with Westminster spanned from 1999 to 2012, and then, after eight years as Department Chair at The Blake School in Minneapolis, she returned in the fall of 2021. Despite the interval between these two chapters, Agnes has always been a constant–implementing new strategies in the classroom, creating an inclusive learning environment for her students, and sharing her insights with colleagues.

Agnes’ career tracks the many ways that teaching language has changed over time. In her first stint at Westminster, she was the Language Lab Director and a Technology Integration Specialist for the Language Department. She coordinated study abroad and hosting programs and was recognized with Goizueta Foundation and Merrill awards for her leadingedge work in the digital revolution and globalization of education.

Upon her return, Agnes brought a wealth of perspective and experience from her time at Blake, facilitating the Language Department Professional Learning Community (PLC), continuing to enable our students to study abroad, and serving as a faculty ambassador.

We were fortunate to get a second chance to welcome Agnes to Westminster. Her commitment to excellence in teaching and her heart for knowing her students exemplify the best of our School’s mission and aspirations.

Brent McGuire

Athletics and Lower School, 24 years

Brent McGuire retired after a celebrated career in the Lower School and Athletic department that began in 2001. Brent excelled across a wide range of assignments, from teaching Love Hall students important lifelong skills in physical education to coaching Wildcat athletes across all three seasons. His efforts have been recognized multiple times, as he received two Goizueta Foundation Awards (2005, 2016), a Catbackers Award (2011), and a Bobo Award (2013). In 2011, he also received a Davis Grant to tour college and professional football venues across the country.

Over the course of his career, Brent’s coaching assignments have included serving as the Head of Program for both Golf and Softball and as an assistant coach for Baseball. Brent brought the same leadership, optimism, and inspiration to each of these roles as he did to his daily teaching in the Lower School. It is a unique gift to succeed in so many different endeavors and to sustain that success over decades. Beloved by students and colleagues alike, Brent has built a legacy–and a fan club–along the way, serving as a role model for us all.

Brent’s time at Westminster has set new standards across our community, and we wish him every good thing in retirement!

Gabe Marulanda

Lower

School Foreign Language Teacher, 29 years

Gabe Marulanda joined the Love Hall faculty in 1998 and, in the years since then, has built foundations for countless students in the Spanish language while instilling a love of Spanish culture. For nearly three decades, Gabe has strummed his guitar, led the Lower School in song, and

occasionally even taught group salsa dancing, creating a legacy of joy and celebration for our youngest Wildcats. Gabe retired at the end of the 2024-25 school year as a nurturing and vital influence for generations of Love Hall students.

He is known as one of the most familiar faces in our Lower School, whether leading devotions with students in Morning Meeting or welcoming them curbside as they begin their day at Carpool A. His impact was recognized in 2000 and again in 2012 with Goizueta Foundation faculty awards.

What is less well known about Gabe is that he is our behind-the-scenes school framer. The vast majority of student artwork that adorns our hallways, offices, and galleries throughout all three divisions is made ready for exhibition by Gabe. It makes perfect sense that he would be behind yet another way to lift our spirits and add beauty to our school.

We wish Gabe the same joy and laughter in this next phase that he has brought to Westminster for so many years!

Gerry Romberg

Athletics and Upper School, 33 years

For 33 years, Gerry Romberg has been a pillar of Westminster athletics and a mentor to generations of Wildcats. As Head of Program for Football and Upper School physical education teacher, Gerry’s legacy is one of dedication and excellence—on the field, in the classroom, and throughout our community. At the end of this past school year, Gerry retired, closing a remarkable chapter in Westminster’s history.

Gerry holds the distinction of being the winningest football coach in Westminster’s history and the second-longest tenured football coach at a single school in Georgia. His 239 career wins have earned him the top spot for wins in Atlanta high school football history. Under his leadership, the Wildcats made 27 GHSA State

Playoff appearances, reached the State Quarterfinals seven times, the Semifinals three times, and in 2015, claimed the GHSA AAA State Championship.

The accomplishments of his players after graduation are equally impressive. More than 100 have gone on to compete at the NCAA level, with four reaching the NFL. Thirteen of his former athletes have made Westminster’s Breithaupt Athletic Hall of Fame—a list that includes Gerry himself, added in 2016.

Gerry’s impact hasn’t been limited to the gridiron. As assistant coach for Varsity Boys Soccer, he helped guide the team to four GHSA State Titles and three State Runner-Up finishes across 11 seasons. In the classroom and Ellis Fitness Center, Gerry has been a motivating influence for Upper School students, shaping both their health and character.

More than the numbers, though, Gerry will be remembered for the standards he set, the relationships he built, and the lasting influence he had on so many people. His contributions to Westminster have been extraordinary, and his legacy will continue for years to come.

Frances Seminara

Lower School Nurse, 12 years

Our youngest Wildcats have been well cared for in the last dozen years, finding a nurturing and conscientious friend in the Love Hall nurse’s office: Frances Seminara. The work of a nurse in a school setting often involves solving mysteries and piecing together a story from parts that are evident–and some not so evident. Frances has been masterful in understanding her young visitors, her empathy and skill creating just the right approach for the Love Hall community entrusted to her care.

While she spent some of each day as a supportive counselor, Frances also helped with playground injuries and ongoing health concerns. In both the emergencies and the daily health issues that some children face, Frances has been the consummate medical professional. When circumstances have called for strong leadership, Frances has taken action with confidence and a sense of urgency.

Not only has Frances been a healer and comforter to children, she has been a lifeline to their parents, who lean on her for wisdom and advice, and thus a trust builder for Westminster, adding to the bank of goodwill that makes for a strong and close-knit community. Frances’s positive impact was recognized in 2021 when she received the Mary DuPriest Award for Staff Excellence, and her legacy will live on as we wish her the best in her retirement.

Ellen Vesey

Upper School Math Teacher, 19 years

During her outstanding career, Ellen Vesey has been turning Wildcats into “Math People.” Through teaching every level of Upper School math, Ellen has had one simple mission: meet students where they are, build their confidence, and send them forth as fearless explorers ready for success at the next level. She even memorialized the process in a sign in her classroom that reads, "How to Be a Math Person: Step 1: Be a Person. Step 2: Do Math." There are few more concise statements of teaching philosophy to be found at Westminster–or anywhere, for that matter.

Becoming a “Math Person” also requires a teacher who can create an environment that invites students to take risks. Since 2006, Ellen has done just that. Through PLCs, mentoring, and a stint as department chair, Ellen has also influenced more than a generation of teaching colleagues to master this approach, and we are a better school for it. Accolades have piled up from not only students and colleagues, but also from five teaching awards over the course of her Westminster career. Ellen’s leadership has extended beyond the classroom to working with our Discipline Council to coaching softball to serving as a member of the task force that developed the current Upper School schedule.

Ellen’s work has been integral to our school mission, and her impact is evident in the lives of her students and colleagues alike.

Welcome, New Faculty!

In August, we welcomed 26 new faculty members to our Westminster community! From coaches to teachers to learning strategists, all of these new members are eager to jump into leading and inspiring students and fellow faculty members alike, all the way from pre-first to 12th grade. Continue reading to meet our newest additions and learn a little about them!

By Communications Intern Margaret Brown

AMANDA ASHWORTH

Lower School

Academic Support

I complete two crosswords every day, and I’m still hoping to complete the New York Times Saturday puzzle.

CHRISTINE BHASIN

Upper School English

I’m mostly fluent in Italian after spending my junior year of undergrad at the University of Bologna and my grad school years doing research in the archives of Venice.

ENJOLI CLARK

Lower School Faculty

I want to visit 40 countries by 40. I’ve made it to 33 so far!

CHARLOTTE COLA

Lower School Faculty

My number one, of many, on my bucket list is to travel the Drake Passage.

BRIANNA DAVIS

Upper School Physics

I’m really passionate about dancing, choreographing, singing, and songwriting.

CAITLIN EZZELL

Lower School Nurse

I love traveling, including skydiving in Switzerland and dining on the 122nd floor of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

TIERRA FAULCON

Lower School Faculty

Some of my hobbies include swimming, hiking, and traveling!

RICK COMBS

Technical Direction

I can say the alphabet faster backwards than most can say it forwards.

CAROLINE CORLEY

Lower School Faculty

I recently started needlepointing!

ANDY HARLIN

Head of Baseball and Upper School Testing Center

My wife and I had our honeymoon in Cooperstown, New York, the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame!

RAE HUNTER

Upper School Biology

I really enjoy painting pottery. It is a space for me to relax and use my creativity to bring plain pieces to life with color and design.

DAVID MILES

Upper School

French and Spanish

An item on my bucket list is to take my son to Antarctica.

LIZ ODURO

Lower School PE

I was born and raised in a small village called Besoro in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, and I have more than 40 first cousins!

CARA REESE

Middle School English

Over the last few years I have written and published three children’s books.

JAKE ROBERTSON

Middle School PE

I became a proud new father of a baby boy in July.

TORI RODRIGUEZ

Middle School Math

I would love to visit the Holy Land with a guide who not only takes you to places we read about in the Bible, but also reads the scripture relating to the location.

APRIL

TATE

Middle School PE

I would like to unlock the humor potential of my life experiences through film, TV, or stand-up.

CARLOS TAYLOR

Lower School Faculty

I have a passion for metaphysics and psychology. Understanding human behavior, brain chemistry, and metacognition really excites me!

JEN VEATCH

Middle School History

I have won two city final titles with ALTA in the past year.

ERIC SCHNEIDER

Upper School Math

I used to be a professional gamer and won a tournament for $25,000.

COBI SHAFE

Middle School Learning

Strategist When I lived out west, I had the opportunity to teach students with disabilities how to ski and rock climb using adaptive equipment through the National Ability Center.

NELSON STEWART

Head of Football and

Middle School PE

Thirty-nine of my 48 years were spent within a one-mile radius between Tulane and Isidore Newman in New Orleans.

CHAD WALKER

Upper School Permanent Sub I have coached in eight different states.

JACK WALKER

Middle School Band: Brass Specialist I enjoy extreme/adventure sports— snow skiing, waterskiing, rock climbing!

DEBORAH WATSON

Upper School Math

I was born in a small city just outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, called Petropolis, “The Imperial City,” where the royal family of Portugal built a summer place.

MEGAN WHITTY

Middle School Band: Woodwind Specialist I love spending time with my husband, two dogs, and four cats!

2025 Faculty and Staff Award Recipients

At the start of the 2025-26 school year, Westminster honored 49 outstanding faculty and staff members with endowed awards. Made possible by generous donors who established and contributed to endowment funds, these awards honor the hardworking faculty and staff members who demonstrate commitment to their students, their subject areas, and the School community, nurturing student passions and shaping our future leaders.

We are incredibly grateful to these recipients and to our donors for their contributions to our School.

The Janet Aldridge and George Piercy Science Professorship

Evan Munger

Alumni Fellows Award

Megan Ailshie, Bill Scruggs, Adam Wood, Edda Lieja

The James Bunnell Chair

Clark Meyer

The Joseph and Amelia Craver Endowed Professorship

Caitlin Wilson

The Eddie DuPriest Professorship for Excellence in Teaching

Jake Kazlow

The Mary DuPriest Award for Staff Excellence

Lauren Vaughn-Colwell, Joe Green

The Alex P. Gaines Professorship (Loridans Teaching Endowment)

Tyree Simon

The Goizueta Foundation Faculty of Distinction

Meredith Peterson

The Goizueta Foundation Professorship

Sophie Daniels, Charlotte Smith

The Goizueta Foundation Professorship in Language

Cynthia Swanson

The Goizueta Foundation Professorship in Spanish

Nicole D’Antonio

The LeoDelle Lassiter Jolley Professorship

Anna Kate Foley

The Kravet Family Faculty/Staff Award

Theresa Sequeira

The George H. and Lucile K. Lane Distinguished Endowed Chair in English

Kristin Hunter

The LeCraw Family Professorship

Emily Fuqua

The William A. Parker

Sr. Exceptional Service Award

Taylor Stegall, Emily Damrel, Tray Malloy, Karen McCarthy

The William A. Parker Sr. Mentoring Faculty Award

Valerie Stevens (seventh-grade student),

Katie Healan (eighth-grade student),

Jordan Dopp (ninth-grade student),

Kira Reid (tenth-grade student),

Chris Walters (eleventh-grade student)

The O. Wayne Rollins Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching

Josie Calamari, Hannah Garrison, Bria Pete, Danielle Cogbill, Rachel House, Cybil Sather, Anthea Economy, Michael Reese, Jaime Maxey

The Schoen Faculty Excellence Award

Sarah Latham, Zach Wroblewski, Taylor

Montemayor

The Schoen Staff Excellence Award

Landon Rowe

The Shanor Family Professorship for Excellence in Teaching

Joey Jarrell

The Robert M. Sims Endowed Chair in Science

Mitchell Griest

The Wilson Family Professorship for the Lower School

Annie Salimi

The Woodward Chair of Christian Education

Carter Thomas

The Emmett Wright Jr. Professorship

Matthew Munday

The Kravet Family Award

Corey Goergen

The Kravet Family STEM Award

Sarah Mason

Expanding Campus, Opportunities, and Horizons From the Beck Archives:

Westminster has constantly pushed boundaries and explored new heights in the pursuit of academic and personal excellence. The School’s campus transformation lays the enriching, innovative groundwork for transforming student opportunities. Throughout its nearly 75 years, and approaching the dawn of a new era of leadership, Westminster has embraced growth to build Wildcats into servant leaders.

By Pamela Nye, Director of Archives

When the Board of North Avenue Presbyterian School discussed its future and decided to rebrand to The Westminster Schools, Principal Miss Thyrza Askew welcomed the incoming Dr. William L. Pressly to lead the next phase of the School. In 1951-52, Westminster’s first year, students attended classes in their former classrooms as plans were made to move the School to a new campus. In October 1951, the School purchased the property of the former Fritz Orr Summer Camp with construction of Campbell Hall and Askew Hall ensuing the following year.

L.

Two years later, at the end of the 1953 school year, Washington Seminary Principal Miss Emma Scott led the merger of the school into The Westminster Schools, knowing that her students would receive the same high quality of education that she provided. The former classrooms provided spaces for the growing school to operate while Scott Hall (1954-2024) and the President’s home (1955) were constructed.

In 1954, “The Hut,” a recreational place for students to go for a snack and to meet friends, debuted when the School purchased a 50-foot ward from the Lawson General Hospital and deposited it on campus between Askew and Campbell halls. The Field House, a large gymnasium, was also completed in 1955.

In the 1960s, students, faculty, and staff enjoyed the use of more new buildings on campus. A long-planned-for administration building was constructed in the space between Askew Hall and Campbell Hall and was open for business in 1962, necessitating the removal of The Hut. Two years later, the girls gained a new dorm named “DoDo” White McLarty Hall, and the boys were able to move from the downtown Glenridge Hall to their new dorm, the Joseph M. Tull Hall, in 1965. The faculty houses were built in 1967.

The construction and expansion of the campus continued in the 1970s. In 1970, the Fred J. Turner Gymnasium was created and dedicated. As Dr. Pressly was retiring in 1973, the Administration Building was officially dedicated to him, creating Pressly Hall.

Dr. William

Pressly, Miss Emma Scott, and Miss Thyrza Askew with the newly created portrait of Miss Emma Scott on April 25, 1954.

Miss Askew with Dr. Vernon Broyles and Dr. William L. Pressly on March 17, 1953, during the ceremonial laying of the Askew Hall cornerstone.

In 1976, Dr. Donn Gaebelein returned to Westminster as president after serving as a beloved teacher, English Department Chair, Academic Dean, and Principal of the Boys School. Donn oversaw the closing of the dorms and their renovations into classrooms in 1978. Those classrooms opened in 1981 as the Woodruff Elementary School and the Tull Hall pre-first classrooms. The year before that, in 1980, the new Alfred Thompson Stadium opened. In 1988, the Vernon Broyles Arts Center opened its doors to the community.

Mr. Donn Gaebelein at the Tull Hall playground dedication in 1983.

Dr. Bill Clarkson oversaw more campus development when he came on board in 1991. During his tenure, the School gained the Robinson Science Building (1996) and Adams Gate (1996). In 1997, the grand renovation of the elementary school, now named Love Hall, was a cause for great celebration. In 2000, Turner Gym underwent much-needed renovations, and, in 2005, a new building

Bill Clarkson standing in front of the Robinson Hall construction in 1995

for the Junior High was constructed. It would be renamed in Bill’s honor when he retired in 2014.

Keith Evans has carried on the construction tradition, with the community seeing the creation of Hawkins Hall in 2019, Barge Commons in 2021, an addition and renovation to Love Hall in 2024, and the opening of The Blake Center in 2026.

Dr. Bill Clarkson and Mr. Keith Evans in the George Woodruff Library on October 13, 2013.

Building From the Old to the New

From its beginning to the promising present, Westminster has built places in which to develop people. The Archives shares the theme from the 1953 Napsonian yearbook.

“Buildings are the books everybody unconsciously reads.”

Buildings are the symbols of those who have planned them, of those who have been a part of them—people make buildings what they are. Hands fashion them; labor erects them; lives enrich them. Yet as we think of moving from these beloved buildings to others, we remember what they have meant to us, representatives of the teachers and planners, the friends and acquaintances who have helped build our lives; and we feel that we shall never forget them or the buildings.

And yet, just as we grow older in years and find we must build new character, we find also that as our school grows in size we must build new classrooms. It is with warm pride that we have watched the framework go up, but it is not without sorrow; for we know that these are buildings that are now part of our own memories—but they hold a

very real place in our dreams. May the future bless these buildings so that they may represent the same qualities our old buildings have because of the people who shall pass through their doors.

Buildings must be constructed on secure foundations, they must be erected with a principle in mind, and they must possess the qualities of beauty and proportion–even so must lives be built. There are many requisites for building lives, but the most important is the influence of people.

...And so we have chosen Building as our theme this year. We are indeed erecting new buildings, but we should like to think too that we are building in character, in leadership, in ability, and in spiritual development; for these qualities have always been a very real part of our School and our lives. We should like to keep before us the ideal upon which NAPS was built and on which the new Westminster is founded.

Dr.

Congratulations, Class of 2025!

The Class of 2025 closed out the last weeks on campus with memorable celebrations. The highly anticipated pre-Commencement traditions provided opportunities for seniors to reflect on their Westminster journey and commemorate friendships. Amid laughter, hugs, and a few tearyeyed smiles, the soon-to-be alums embraced the feeling of “once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”

To observe the final 25 days of school for the Class of 2025, seniors gathered on Alice McCallie Pressly Plaza, affectionately known as “Spatio,” to enjoy Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Sporting their college tees, seniors gathered on Pressly Plaza with their dogs for lighthearted–and furry–fellowship. What better way to unwind before final exams?!

Dressed in their senior tees, the Class of 2025 chanted in unison over the Westminster Seal the final countdown to their last day of school before excitedly running, jumping, and sliding across Kent Field. The day was filled with water guns, soapy Slip ’N Slides, and lively screams of laughter.

Seniors were treated to a celebratory lunch the week before Commencement to honor their becoming alumni. Led by Andrew Blaisdell ’99, president of the Alumni Governing Board, the event welcomed the newest members into the Westminster alumni network with a lively and engaging send-off featuring games, trivia, and prizes.

By Communications Intern Emerson Noone ’24

25 DAYS TO BECOME AN ALUM

ALUMNI BOARD LUNCHEON

SENIOR DOG DAY

SENIOR COUNTDOWN AND MUDSLIDE

CLASS OF 2025

Live music, photos, and barbecue helped amplify the fun for students and their families at the Senior Celebration on Murphy Plaza. A highlight of the picnicstyle event was the screening of a special video to commemorate the seniors’ journey.

Returning to where it all began, the Class of 2025 students who have been a part of the Westminster community since Lower School reminisced on those early years with beloved teachers in Love Hall’s colorful Learning Commons. With a melange of Crumbl cookies, dodgeball games, and capsule letters, the day was filled with fun and nostalgia.

CLASS OF 2025 SENIOR HONORS

Augie Bunting Valedictorian

Ashley Miller Salutatorian

Chuka Okwumabua Forensics Award

Stan Watkins Performing Arts Award–Band

Reeves Wood Frank Boggs Award for Outstanding Vocal Achievement

Emily Federovitch and Mars Wilkiemeyer Performing Arts Award–Theater

James Mihalka

Norma Allen Gaebelein Orchestra Award

Piper Payne and Sapna Goel Visual Arts Award

Michael Buhay, Ella Anthony, and Madison Townsend Senior Athlete Award

Alice Feng Goizueta Foundation Foreign Language Student Award (Latin)

Ricky Wang Goizueta Foundation Foreign Language Student Award (French)

Augie Bunting

Goizueta Foundation Foreign Language Student Award (Spanish)

Mason Burns Goizueta Foundation Foreign Language Student Award (Chinese)

Shailen Kadaba

George R. Lamplugh Excellence in American History

Lucy Johnson Gwendolyn M. Cleghorn Award

Brody Persons

David T. Lauderdale Jr. Memorial Award

Ashley Miller and Lars Wust Leila Mason Venable Eldridge Memorial Award

Anthony He

Robert M. Sims Math Award

Iman Merchant

Robert M. Sims Science Award

Caroline Rascoe The Branham Award for Greatest Progress

Hamilton Henderson

Berry Senior Award

Shea Pettit and Jackson Hausner

Vernon S. Broyles Jr. Christian Leadership Award

Carmie Abegaz Civic Engagement Award

Eva Bevington and Robert Kochensparger Spirit Award

Lauren Foglesong and Nate Jackson Croft Family Service and Fellowship Award

Elana Gardner and John Overend Upper School Wildcat Award

Jamison Shears

Thyrza S. Askew Nobility Award

Hallie Harris

Judith A. Smith Citizenship Award

Louie Gump

James G. Patton Citizenship Award

Eloisa Bloom

Frances Isabelle Outler Memorial Award

Jack Stewart

Richard L. Hull Memorial Award

Sophia Jo, Will Stewart, and Jessy Young Exceptional Performance in a Sport

Ella Anthony, Webb Boggess, Michael Buhay, Mary Margeret Stone, and Mason Ulzheimer

Senior Three Season Athlete

SENIOR CELEBRATION

ALPHA OMEGA AND LOWER SCHOOL REUNION

Commencement

On the morning of Sunday, May 18, the Westminster community gathered on Alice McCallie Pressly Plaza to celebrate the Class of 2025. Despite rain shifting Commencement indoors to Turner Gymnasium, spirits remained bright as the graduating seniors, in true Wildcat fashion, seized the special moment. Surrounded by family and friends, they basked in both the culmination of years of hard work and the promise of a new beginning. Sarah Hawkins Warren ’00, Presiding Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, delivered the Commencement address, which was followed by the presentation of diplomas and Bibles—and, finally, the celebratory tossing of caps!

By Communications Intern Emerson Noone ’24

Mapping the Future

Graduates from the Class of 2025 are enrolled at 80 colleges and universities in 28 states and Canada. We are excited to watch these Wildcats continue their educational journeys, near and far!

NUMBER OF ENROLLING STUDENTS BY STATE

0 STUDENTS

1-4 STUDENTS

5-9 STUDENTS

10-14 STUDENTS

15+ STUDENTS

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES

UNIVERSITY

The matriculation data included in this map is current as of August 6, 2025.

COLORADO COLLEGE (2)

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY

STANFORD UNIVERSITY (3)

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (2)

MACALESTER COLLEGE

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS (4)

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (3)

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON (3)

PURDUE UNIVERSITY (2)

TULANE UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME (2)

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (3)

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

COLGATE

UNIVERSITY

HAMILTON

COLLEGE

SYRACUSE

UNIVERSITY

CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY

THE COLLEGE OF WOOSTER

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (2)

CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE (2)

MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE (2)

SEWANEE: THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH

BELMONT UNIVERSITY

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY (4)

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN (2)

SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY (5)

TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY (4)

MERCER UNIVERSITY

AUBURN UNIVERSITY (16)

BABSON COLLEGE

BOSTON COLLEGE (7)

BOSTON UNIVERSITY (3)

HARVARD UNIVERSITY (4)

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY (2)

TUFTS UNIVERSITY (2)

WELLESLEY COLLEGE

BROWN UNIVERSITY

TRINITY COLLEGE (2) YALE UNIVERSITY

BARNARD COLLEGE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (2) NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (3)

LAFAYETTE COLLEGE

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (3)

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOWARD UNIVERSITY (2)

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND (2)

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (11) WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY (3)

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE VIRGINIA TECH (2)

DUKE UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

DAVIDSON COLLEGE (2) CLEMSON UNIVERSITY (3) FURMAN UNIVERSITY (2) WOFFORD COLLEGE (2)

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (18)

EMORY UNIVERSITY (3)

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL (3) WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY (8)

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (10)

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE SPELMAN COLLEGE (2)

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (3)

McGILL UNIVERSITY

INDIANA UNIVERSITY (3)

MIAMI UNIVERSITY

Ties That Bind

The Ties That Bind photos are a timeless tradition for Westminster families who have more than one graduate from the School and its predecessor institutions, Washington Seminary and NAPS. After Commencement concludes, the newest Wildcat graduates pose in their caps and gowns with family members who are fellow alums to commemorate the special school connections they share.

Caroline Anderson ’25, Mary Claire Anderson ’22

Fain Barton ’24, Katherine Barton ’25

Alex Bradham ’20, Tyler Bradham ’25, McCauley Bradham ’22

Josie Anderson ’23, Margaret Anderson ’25

George Bevington ’86, Emily Murphy ’89, Mary Laurence Bevington ’86, Eva Bevington ’25, Justin Bevington ’90

Brantley Burns ’55, Thad Persons ’88, Barbara Burns Roper ’60, Bill Burns ’84, Audrey Burns ’27, Mason Burns ’25, Brody Persons ’25, Jake Persons ’24, Shawn Burns ’82

Price Carlton ’88, Chloe Carlton ’25, Eva Carlton ’22

Bennett Abrams ’25, Joya Rosser Abrams ’98

Cullen Anthony ’20, Ella Anthony ’25, Brannon Anthony ’17

Eloisa Bloom ’25, Lawton Bloom ’89

Cate Carroll ’25, Michael Carroll ’96

Ayan Chaganthi ’25, Aanya Chaganthi ’23

James Bass Chapman ’85, Martha “Mimi” Mundy Chapman ’25, Emily Chapman Ashe ’82

Cannon Carr ’85, Alexander Carr ’25, Alice Carr ’59, James Carr III ’21

Miles Clayton ’22, Phoebe Clayton ’25, Sadie Clayton ’24

Claire Diaz ’25, Patrick Diaz ’20

Brendan Dolan ’18, Caroline Dolan ’25

Kyle Coleman ’25, Kamden Coleman ’22

Wally Dennis ’84, Will Dennis ’25

Ryan Githuku ’21, Hayden Githuku ’25

Bryce Howard ’23, Sumter Howard ’25, Kennedy Howard ’21

Ella Freeman ’22, Eleanor Howell Effinger ’63, Tyler Harris ’23, Hallie Harris ’25, Laura Effinger Harris ’94, Millar Effinger Freeman ’89, Ashlee Freeman ’24

Andrew Higley ’89, Janet Higley ’91, Elizabeth Higley ’25, Alessandra Higley ’22

Rajan Kadaba ’22, Shailen Kadaba ’25, Wab Kadaba ’87

Yash Kadadi ’21, Tejas Kadadi ’25

Neil Dhingra ’23, Shaan Dhingra ’25

Alex Fogle ’25, Evander Fogle ’90

Julio Hernandez ’20, Lily Hernandez ’25, Riley Hernandez ’20, Virginia Hernandez ’23

Bradley Wheeler Kirsch ’85, Joe Jackson ’22, Molly Wheeler Jackson ’90, Johnny Jackson ’25, John Wheeler ’90

Billy Levine ’88, Jessica Levine ’20, Jason Levine ’25, Mia Levine ’22, Janet Levine Nahirny ’84, Lisa Levine Salzman ’82

Allen Moseley ’87, Caroline V. Moseley ’25, Helen Moseley ’22

Elizabeth Nastopoulos ’25, John Nastopoulos ’94

Smith Patton ’20, Robert Locke Patton ’25, Madison Patton ’18

Reese Norman ’23, Owen Norman ’25, Matthew Norman ’87

Ashley Kotkin ’94, Collier McKinnon ’25

Ethan Mattingly ’25, George Mattingly ’92

Kate Guyton Morgens ’91, Calvin McBurney ’25, Courtney Guyton McBurney ’89

Iman Merchant ’25, Faiz Merchant ’21

Hailey McGruder ’25, Alex McGruder ’24

Cate Lockerman ’25, Allen E. Lockerman IV ’87

John Montag ’86, Olivia Montag ’23, Sam Montag ’25, Benjamin Montag ’21

Jonathan H. Morgan ’20, Miles C. Morgan ’25

David Overend ’92, John Overend ’25, Catherine Overend Stewart ’01

Selena Patel ’25, Anyssa Patel ’23

Brand M. Morgan ’25, R. Brand Morgan ’94

Harry Stone ’23, Elizabeth Stone ’25, Mary Margaret Stone ’25, Jack Stone ’18

Andrew Schaeffer ’19, Brian Schaeffer ’25, Quinn Schaeffer ’23

Ben Teague ’95, Olivia Teague ’25, Catherine Teague ’97, Matthew Teague ’00

Cavan Theis ’22, Mason Theis ’25

Andrew Stephenson ’92, Morgan Stephenson ’25, Mason Stephenson ’22

John Moye ’94, Mary Michael Pringle ’90, Jack Stewart ’25, Leslie Moye ’94, Helen Stewart ’88, Preston Stewart ’88, Lucy Stewart ’19, Preston Stewart ’23, Will Stewart ’25, Price Wilson ’97

Alex Wagner ’20, Cate Wagner ’25, Ava Wagner ’22

Anna Wickliffe ’25, Andy Wickliffe ’86, William Wickliffe ’25, Charlie Wickliffe ’85, Charlie Wickliffe ’20

Tripp Wood ’20, Reeves Wood ’25, Rex Wood ’24

Amelia Wright ’22, Taylor Wright ’92, William Wright ’25, Henrietta Wright ’20

Katherine Yeoman ’22, Brad Cornett ’89, Louise Teem Yeoman ’88, Ansley Yeoman ’25, Marlis Teem Cornett ’89

Jessy Young ’25, Matthew Young ’23

Riley Browne Payne ’18, Piper Cameron Browne Payne ’25, Beckwith Browne Payne ’20

Brooke Rascoe ’21, Leslie Newsom Rascoe ’84, Caroline Rascoe ’25, Chris Rascoe ’84, Ansley Newsom Kreitler ’91, Mary Margaret Schulte ’84

Helen Rearden ’22, Robert Rearden ’89, Sheldon Rearden ’25, Evie Rearden ’19, Alison Murrah ’86

Alumni News

Hello, Westminster Community!

Our Wildcat alums embody servant leadership, constantly answering the call of our fellow alumni, students, families, faculty, and administrators. Whether sharing coffee with young alumni as they weigh career opportunities, assisting with the incredibly successful JanTerm or MayATL programs, or participating in the annual Westminster Fund, you all are enhancing the Westminster experience for our current students and for future generations of Wildcats.

As I have spent time on campus in various volunteer capacities over the last several years, I am struck by those elements of the Westminster experience that remain unchanged from my time as a student. Walking around campus today, you see the legacy of Dr. Pressly’s “wholesome intensity” in action in the dedicated faculty dreaming up innovative ways to teach core concepts and the ambitious students continually raising the bar for what we all thought was possible. Campus may look physically different than it did when I attended school, but the Wildcat spirit continues to cultivate principled leaders as it has all along. The impact of purpose-driven leadership taught at Westminster can be readily observed in our Golden Wildcat alumni all the way down to our most recent graduates. There truly is

no limit to what students, faculty, and administration can do, and my desire to be a partner—rather than a spectator—in the School’s work is what has motivated me to stay involved.

In my new role as President of Westminster’s Alumni Association, I look forward to playing a small part in continuing to bring our alumni together to connect them with each other and with the excitement on campus. I hope that each of you will find a moment to visit campus or explore the School’s website to learn more about the myriad opportunities available at Westminster for students and alumni alike. I am especially grateful to the newest servant leaders of our alumni community, who have stepped up to volunteer their time and insights as members of our Alumni Governing Board, Black Alumni Council, and Young Alumni Council. This group will work in close partnership with the Office for Institutional Advancement to amplify the impact of our alumni network both here in Atlanta and beyond.

This year, we intend to sharpen our focus on engaging the Atlanta alumni community, which continues to grow as many alumni return to the metro area. We will also streamline and formalize the method by which we communicate alumni volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved. We hope alumni engagement and participation will be just as approachable as it is enjoyable, and we invite you to join us in this work.

If you’re wondering where to start, I encourage you to support Lead On: The Campaign for Westminster None of the unique programming and experiences you are reading about in this issue would be possible without the incredible generosity of people like you. This is one way we can express gratitude for the Westminster experience that others before us put in place and, in turn, unlock new opportunities for future Wildcats.

I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this one-of-akind alumni community, and I hope you will join me in working to ensure that President Evans’ final months at the helm of our School will be a time to remember.

Caroline Rawls Strumph ’08 President, Alumni Governing Board

Alumni Leadership

As leaders within our Alumni Association, the volunteer members of these boards and councils help fulfill Westminster’s alumni strategic plan and act as ambassadors for the School. Join us in thanking them for their service!

2025-26 ALUMNI GOVERNING BOARD

Caroline Rawls Strumph ’08

President

Kim Maziar Hockstein ’88

President-Elect

Crawford Long ’09

Recording Secretary

Corliss Blount Denman ’73

Zibby Stokes Doob ’99 Alumni Giving Chair

Michael Golden ’82

Ann Hart Wotton Hunter ’89

Fielding Kidd Jamieson ’07

John Jones ’74

Board Historian

Kate Lindgren ’19

Young Alumni Council Chair

David Martin ’72

R Matthews ’15

Black Alumni Council Co-Chair

Brian Moore ’90

2025-26 BLACK ALUMNI COUNCIL

Cheryl Jones Pappy ’77

Co-Chair

R Matthews ’15 Co-Chair

Lucretia Denson ’88

Recording Secretary

Ayodeji A. Bandele ’15

Judia Elmore Black ’80

Chelsea Daniels ’10

Dionne Grey ’97

Mariah Harmon ’07

Dana Harvey ’16

2025-26 YOUNG ALUMNI COUNCIL

Kate Lindgren ’19 Chair

Quinton Bennett ’15

Chair-Elect

Mark Alar ’14

Wiley Ballard ’12

Amanda Brothers ’16

Deja Clay ’15

Jennifer Doan ’15

Julia Grady ’17

Sam Higgins ’11

Sam Jowers ’12

Michael Moulton ’14

Meghna Patel ’18

Liza Linginfelter Peters ’14

David Overend ’92

Cheryl Jones Pappy ’77

Black Alumni Council Co-Chair

Mary Lowell Downing Pettit ’06

Charles Ralston ’02

Dale Maffett Saxman ’00

John Thornton Jr. ’01

Christy Cook Ziglar ’91

Brynne Holt ’01

JaMelle McNally ’97

Greg Payne ’02

Assata Quinichett ’19

Erika Redding ’13

Ashley Rey ’16

Ginger Abblitt Rondinelli ’11

Raeba Roy ’18

Kelsey Russell ’18

Jack Schlafly ’17

2025 Alumni Awards

Alumni Service Award

The Alumni Service Award is presented annually to an alumnus who has consistently provided exemplary service to Westminster, enhancing the mission, success, stature, and well-being of the School.

Dennis Zakas ’74

Dennis Zakas has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to Westminster through decades of volunteer leadership and generous support.

After graduating from Westminster, Dennis earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and law degrees from the University of Virginia. He began his legal career in New York before returning to Atlanta to become a corporate law partner at Kilpatrick, Hunton & McKenna.

Harnessing his passion for technology and innovation, Dennis founded the Georgia Technology Summit and has chaired the conference’s Top 40 Innovative Companies competition since its inception. He is the lead inventor of a patented software product and serves as founder and CEO of GetRecz, a tech firm, as he continues to practice

corporate law, primarily for tech companies. Outside of his professional accomplishments in law and tech, Dennis was the first Greek American to run the Olympic torch in Greece.

Throughout these accomplished years, Dennis has consistently served Westminster in leadership roles. He co-chaired the Westminster Alumni Board, co-founded two Performing Arts reunions, helped initiate Beyond the Gates, and hosts the Class of 1974 reunion party every five years. Dennis and his wife Martie, whom he met in law school, are the proud parents of four Alpha-Omega Wildcats and three grandchildren.

Dennis Zakas ’74, Alumni Service Award Recipient, and President Keith Evans

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award honors and recognizes alumni who have provided extraordinary service to the community or who have achieved outstanding personal, business, or professional success.

Reverend

Nancy Smith-Mather ’98 and Reverend Shelvis Smith-Mather ’97

For nearly two decades, Presbyterian ministers

Nancy and Shelvis Smith-Mather have worked with East African faith-based organizations, equipping grassroots leaders with conflict resolution, trauma healing, and community development skills.

Nancy led the South Sudan Education and Peacebuilding Program, advancing girls’ education and teacher training in one of the world’s most illiterate countries. Shelvis helped establish the

Sarah Hawkins Warren ’00

Sarah Hawkins Warren ’00 is the Presiding Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, elected to the position in February 2025. After graduating magna cum laude from Duke University School of Law, Sarah launched her esteemed legal career as a law clerk for Chief Judge J.L. Edmondson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the Honorable Richard J. Leon of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

She served as a litigation partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, DC, before returning to Georgia to become the state’s first Solicitor General of Georgia, serving as the state’s chief appellate advocate and principal constitutional advisor to the Attorney General. In 2018, Sarah was appointed to the Supreme Court of Georgia, becoming the youngest woman ever to serve on the state’s highest court.

Beyond her professional accolades, Sarah is a dedicated contributor to legal and educational institutions, serving on the Advisory Board of

RECONCILE Peace Institute where community organizers and activists from diverse backgrounds collaborate to share community-enriching skills and knowledge. His work has led to more than $1 million in fundraising to elevate women peace leaders.

Despite periods of violence and instability in South Sudan, Nancy and Shelvis have remained committed to fostering peace and community, collaborating with UN officials, embassies, NGOs, local and faith-based organizations, and heads of state to do so. The Smith-Mathers’ latest initiative through the Reformed Church in America leverages the work of scholars and practitioners to develop peace-building curriculum and other resources.

Nancy and Shelvis are grateful to share this journey with their four children.

Honorable Sarah Hawkins Warren ’00 gave the 2025 commencement address

the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School, the Berry College Board of Trustees, and the Advisory Board for the Atlanta Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society. Sarah formerly served as President of the Westminster Alumni Governing Board. She and her husband, Blaise, live in Georgia with their three children.

Reverend Nancy Smith-Mather ’98 and Reverend Shelvis Smith-Mather ’97, Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Alumni and Community Events

Alumni Experiences Panel

January 30, 2025

The Black Alumni Council hosted an insightful experiences panel around the theme of Building Bridges. Panel moderator Rayford Davis ’93 guided guests through a series of storytelling and insights shared by panelists: Lucretia Denson ’88, Monica Green ’04, Shani Boston ’03, Ayodeji Bandele ’15, and Halim Labi II ’19. Brick by brick, speakers provided nuggets of wisdom, humor, and reflection for participating alumni and members of The Village, the cross-divisional affinity group for families of Black students at Westminster.

CatTalks February 5, 2025

The Alumni Governing Board Events Committee hosted a virtual CatTalks titled “Behind the Mic with Wiley Ballard ’12 and Brandon Gaudin.” CatTalks is a Ted Talkstyle program, both in person and online, highlighting individual alumni experiences and expertise within the Westminster community. This year’s program featured Wiley Ballard, the 2025 Georgia Sportscaster of the Year, and Brandon Gaudin, Atlanta Braves play-byplay announcer. Together with moderator Daniel Searl, WCAT and WStudio Student Broadcast Program Coordinator, attendees got a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of sports broadcasting, while learning how Wiley’s experiences at Westminster shaped his success in sports TV and radio.

100 Days to Become an Alum

February 10, 2025

As our seniors eagerly counted down to Commencement, the Student Alumni Council (SAC) hosted two panels featuring esteemed college and young alumni as part of the 100 Days to Become an Alum program! These panels offered unique opportunities for our graduating class to learn from those who have walked in their shoes and achieved success beyond Westminster. We also held on-campus celebrations to mark their final days before officially joining the Westminster alumni community!

Watch the “Behind the Mic” CatTalks

Entrepreneurship Networking Night

February 13, 2025

The Young Alumni Council hosted an Entrepreneurship Networking Night at Atlanta Tech Village featuring an exclusive panel discussion on the state of entrepreneurship in Atlanta and beyond. The panel featured Robby Greenfield ’11, Lucienne Ide ’93, and Garrett Langley ’05 and was moderated by current parent David Cummings.

Golden Wildcats Celebration

February 28, 2025

Alumni who have already celebrated their 50th reunion gathered at The Estate to reconnect, socialize, and hear School updates from President Keith Evans and Alumni Governing Board President Andrew Blaisdell ’99. The event provided a meaningful space to celebrate milestones, reflect on cherished moments, and continue fostering the strong sense of community that defines our alumni network.

San Francisco Annual Reception

February 26, 2025

Bay Area alumni gathered at Schroeder’s on February 26 for an intimate evening of connection and community. Attendees enjoyed meaningful conversations, heard updates from the School, and indulged in light bites and drinks. With this event serving as a launching point for their regional engagement, the Bay Area Chapter has since organized a Braves vs. Giants game outing and an afternoon of games and connection at Spark Social in Mission Bay.

Women’s Symposium

March 15, 2025

More than 75 Westminster women came together in Barge Commons for an inspiring day of connection and empowerment. Our dynamic Wildcat speakers and panelists shared stories of resilience, determination, and a desire to make an impact on the world. The Women’s Symposium included keynote speakers Lisa Borders ’75, Founder & CEO, LMB Group LLC and retired Navy Rear Admiral Martha Gray Herb ’73.

Thank you to our Alumni Governing Board members who made this momentous occasion possible: Christy Cook Ziglar ’91, Corliss Blount Denman ’73, Kim Maziar Hockstein ’88, Fielding Kidd Jamieson ’07, and John Jones ’74.

Watch the Women’s Symposium

1951 Circle Celebration

April 9, 2025

Last April, members of our 1951 Circle and Young Alumni Leadership Society gathered on campus for an evening of connection and gratitude in celebration of their generosity. Thank you for your incredible support of The Westminster Fund, which impacts every Wildcat, every day.

DC Annual Reception

April 1, 2025

Alumni spanning five decades gathered in Washington, DC, for a memorable evening at Succotash in the Penn Quarter neighborhood for their regional reception. Guests enjoyed reconnecting with fellow graduates, hearing exciting updates from the School, meeting chapter leadership, and exploring meaningful ways to get involved locally. The event highlighted the strength of our alumni network and the shared pride that spans generations. The chapter looks forward to future opportunities to stay connected, including a service event in partnership with DC Central Kitchen and a mixer for mid-career alumnae.

The Village Senior Recognition Ceremony April 28, 2025

Families and friends of graduating Black seniors convened in Barge Commons for an evening of celebration to recognize the hard work, resilience, and dedication of the graduates and their families. Students participated in a pinning and Kente cloth ceremony led by Black Alumni Council leaders Brian Moore ’90 and Charles Mason II ’01. Rooted in the Southern Africa value Ubuntu, “I am because we are,” students reflected on the role the relationships formed at Westminster played in their identity development and looked toward their continued interconnectedness with the larger Westminster Black alumni community.

Principals’ Circle Celebration

May 6, 2025

As spring came to a close, Westminster hosted a memorable evening at the High Museum of Art in celebration of its Principals’ Circle, donors who contribute $10,000 or more annually to The Westminster Fund. Guests enjoyed a dynamic and thought-provoking conversation led by Hala Moddelmog P ’04, President and CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center, and Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, Jennings Hertz Artistic Director of the Alliance Theatre. The discussion explored Atlanta’s leadership in the growing neuroarts movement, where innovative programming and research are shaping a healthier, more connected world. We extend our gratitude to our Principals’ Circle members for their leading generosity, which fuels the daily experiences of every Wildcat!

Westminster Internship Program Summer 2025

Westminster’s internship program continued the tradition of welcoming young alums back to campus to support the School’s summer operations and expand their Wildcat network. From assisting with the magazine to helping facilitate a major technology refresh, these young Wildcats, including a current senior and a former student, played an invaluable role last summer. Many thanks to (front row, left to right) Gideon Zemedhun ’24, Emerson Noone ’24, Margaret Brown, Zainab Barodawala ’25, Edu Chlopek ’25, and (back row, left to right) Charlie Mattie ’25, John Eidbo ’26, and Mayowa Odujebe ’25 for their hard work and dedication!

Reunion Weekend 2025

A Celebration of Community and Connection

Westminster Reunion Weekend 2025 brought together more than 1,300 alumni and guests from 31 states for a joyful celebration of Wildcat spirit. The weekend featured 23 unique activities, with festive class parties hosted both on and off campus—including a family-friendly lunch on Saturday afternoon.

Alumni showed their generosity by raising more than $575,000 for The Westminster Fund, surpassing the $525,000 goal. The 50th Reunion

Class of 1975 contributed a remarkable $724,602, including $307,525 to the Class of 1975 Faculty Fund. A special Reunion Donor Celebration honored alumni who have generously left a legacy through their giving. Congratulations to the Class of 2000 for taking home the coveted Reunion Cup!

We are deeply grateful to the 174 Reunion Committee volunteers who made the weekend such a success!

“The highlight of Reunion Weekend was catching up with friends who I hadn’t seen in years! It was great to be back on campus with the friends who made my memories there so special.”

Class of 2010 Alum, 15th

Reunion

“It was great to see so many people who had traveled to be there. And also great to realize some of my classmates are now local!”

Class of 2000 Alum, 25th Reunion

More than registrants 1,385 committee members

attendees at the Kickoff Celebration Four food trucks served 600+

including $307,525 to the Class of 1975 Faculty Fund $724,602 50th Reunion alumni contributed raised for The Westminster Fund

Memory Lane, a nostalgic display of photos, scrapbooks, and memorabilia representing every decade, collected: items on loan from 27 committee members

“I really enjoyed reconnecting with classmates on the Reunion Committee by working with them over the months preparing for the reunion, and then reconnecting with old friends at the reunion itself. It was great to chat with folks that I had not spent time with in many years, particularly given that we missed our 35th due to COVID.”

Class of 1985 Alum, 40th Reunion

CLASS OF 1975 50TH REUNION

Jimmy Love, Co-Chair

M.J. Young Thorne, Co-Chair

REUNION VOLUNTEERS

Libby Black Simons Engagement Co-Chair

Jim Durrett Engagement Co-Chair

Louella Randall, Book Co-Chair

Kevin Sims, Book Co-Chair

Robert Balentine

Cary Cox

Michelle Munson Persons

Pam Neal Fellows

Ted Forbes

Hank Hall

Dale Smith Jowers

Ellen Duncan LaGrone

Athena Sotus-Nawar

Stevi Nuss

Glenn Paul

Walton Reeves

Cade Ross

Weezie Sams

Palmer DuBose Strickler

Tommy Tillman

CLASS OF 1980 45TH REUNION

Rob McDonough, Co-Chair

Mimi Bremer Woodruff, Co-Chair

Judia Elmore Black

Ashley Campbell

Kathleen Aderhold Coolidge

Hank Corriher

John Cleghorn

Henry Grady

Vern Hendrix

Lori Jones Jordan

Pam Meeks Kuester

Margaret Wyant Schultz

Tull Wesley

CLASS OF 1985 40TH REUNION

Tiffany Norman Boozer, Co-Chair

Marianne Padgett Trapnell, Co-Chair

Wesley Boozer

David Deitch

Hyde Floyd Desloge

Caroline Brantley Doherty

Florida Ellis Huff

Wirt Jones

Jill Morehouse Lum

David Quillian

Kirk Stevenson

Michael Trapnell

David Walmsley

Amy Redmond West

Caroline Massey Yost

CLASS OF 1990 35TH REUNION

Karen Quinn Anderson, Co-Chair

Che’ Barbour, Co-Chair

Taylor Crawford Schwieger, Co-Chair

Justin Bevington

Cinda Koets Boomershine

Carole Hollingsworth Canedy

Katherine Anderson Harrison

Lee Hunter

Molly Wheeler Jackson

John Miller

Kelsey Nash

Court Thomas

John Wheeler

Blake Young

CLASS OF 1995 30TH REUNION

Jason Chambers, Co-Chair

Liza Jamison Davidson, Co-Chair

Justin Boller

Mark Brandenburg

Neale Fisher

Grant Gandy

Christy McClatchey Gituku

Kamille Johnson Harless

Rob Henson

Anne Park Amann Hopkins

Anna Neill

Samantha Razook

Meredith Reich Smith

Nancy Dhue Suh

Chris Suh

Edward Tate

Ben Teague

Mary Dickinson Trammell

Stephanie McClelland Walstad

CLASS OF 2000 25TH REUNION

John Gordon, Co-Chair

Dale Maffett Saxman, Co-Chair

Spencer Boice

Elizabeth Loyd Burdette

King Davidson

Mitch Ermentrout

Kenneth Franklin

Leslie Gerdes

Ben Hill

Katherine Thomas Jacques

Madison Kitchens

Nicole Layne

Virginia King McCune

Janine McKinnon

Lissy Beaver Melia Arnett Mumford

Ian Pihl

Matt Pyles

Daisy Kraft Starr

Shelley Spring Williams

CLASS OF 2005 20TH REUNION

Beau Allen, Co-Chair

Brent Ellis, Co-Chair

George Akers

Allison Sheats Allen

Laura Dopson Almquist

Louis Battey

Ben Beacham

Cecily Aleem Campbell

Stephanie Castellucci

Jessica Smithgall Crocker

Brian Dolezal

Nick Harper

Bo Kimball

Katie Grien Littman

Morgan Deakins McCutcheon

Ali Gray Prickett

Thompson Rawls

Anna Edwards Robinson

Mark Saadine

William Stahel

Sarah Whelchel

CLASS OF 2010 15TH REUNION

Kealy Hartman, Co-Chair

Amanda Newton Wellen, Co-Chair

Andrew Bridges

Malcolm Chester

Myles Christian

Tindall Sewell Hein

Anna Konieczny Houseman

Margaux Johnson-Hamrick

Jack Kelley

Walter Love

Caroline Gwynn Monagle

Hollis Hart Montgomery

Mac O’Brien

Rob Wedge

Yates Webb

Ann Giornelli Woodward

CLASS OF 2015 10TH REUNION

Robert deGolian, Co-Chair

Mallie Egan, Co-Chair

Clayton Ashley

Arvind Atmuri

Quinton Bennett

Maggie Borders

Virginia Brown

Mary Coffin

Somer Woodall Hardin

Maya Jones

Jorie Moran

Ruwenne Moodley

Mackenzie Shannon

Russell Sewell

Taylor Willis

CLASS OF 2020 5TH REUNION

Morgan Moore, Co-Chair

J. Edward Robinette, Co-Chair

JD Blitch

Taylor Boozer

Ryan Chambliss

Patrick Diaz

David Dickey

Christianna Doele

Jack Hunter

Ashley Jian

Trevor Jones

Jessica Levine

Caroline Miller

Mary Louise Rogers

Roshan Vemuri

Kavya Vadapalli

Turner Woley

Pinky Yabroudy

Andrew York

Class Notes

From travel to making connections to exciting career moves, Westminster alumni never sit still. Read on to find out what your fellow Wildcats have been up to! Visit westminster.net/classnews to join in and submit your updates for the next issue.

This issue reflects class news submitted by August 8, 2025.

1949 NAPS

Keller Henderson Barron shares a photo of her greatgranddaughter and namesake, Mary Keller DuBose, born April 19, 2025!

1958

Alan Elsas writes, “Most of my classmates have hit the ripe young age of 85 now and are doing well: Slocum Howland Jr., Hicks Lanier, Steve Barnett III, Ben Read Jr., Barry Branch Sr., Allen Lockerman III, John Porter III, Ted Mealor Jr., Ronny Rogers, Tony Askew, Peter Berry Sr., Peter Wilcox Sr. ’59. (If I missed your name, please check in.) That’s 13 people, including me—not bad for a class of 49 boys! It is definitely not the result of ‘clean living’!!”

1964

Susie Soper shares a picture with her husband Bo Holland when they reached the top of Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park in Utah: “It was quite an accomplishment for Bo’s 80th birthday: almost 6 miles round trip—coming down was hard on old knees—and 1,500 feet added elevation. It was a glorious trip that also included spectacular hikes in Bryce Canyon, ending with a 3-mile sunrise hike on the last day. Age is just a number!”

1966

James Hewitt writes, “My granddaughter is now attending Emory. So proud and reliving good memories of Emory’s library where I went for help in translating Cicero. Now that I will be in Atlanta more, I can see a Homecoming football game. I still can bring to mind Tommy Chapman ’65 returning a kickoff for the only score of the game with the Wildcat defense doing the rest for the big victory over state powerhouse Avondale.”

1968

Nanette Levin Lippincott has been serving on the Kansas City Ballet Guild Executive Board for the past three years and is continuing in her position as Boutique Manager for the fourth year. As the major fundraising arm of the ballet, along with the annual ball, the guild made a record-breaking $500,000 contribution to the Kansas City Ballet for 2025. The boutique sells nutcrackers and ornaments during the month-long

production of The Nutcracker at the Kauffman Center in Kansas City. This December will also see the addition of signed pointe shoes.

1969

Ren Davis and wife Helen’s new book, Land of Everlasting Hills: George Masa, Jim Thompson and the Photographs That Helped Save the Great Smoky Mountains and Blaze the Appalachian Trail, was published in October 2025, the couple’s third book by the University of Georgia Press. They write: “The large format book includes a brief history of the efforts to create Great Smoky Mountains National Park and determine the route of the Appalachian Trail through the Smokies in the 1920s and 1930s. The images produced by Masa in North Carolina and Thompson in Tennessee were instrumental in this decade-long project. The book features more than 200 images produced by these two photographers.” The Davises’ first book, published in 2012, was Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery: An Illustrated History and Guide, and the second was Landscapes for the People: George Alexander Grant, First Chief Photographer of the National Park Service, published in 2015.

Betsy Barge writes, “With sadness but deep gratitude for our long friendship with her, we would like to let you know that, after an extended illness, Cindy Koontz Demme passed away peacefully at home on June 19, 2025, with her family by her side. She is survived by her devoted husband, Ken Demme, her loving children, daughter Kat Wallace and son Jay Wallace, her grandchildren whom she adored, many friends, and other family members. We shall miss her but remember with admiration how she lived her life. Fondly, Betsy Barge, Libba Atwater Drewicz, Denise Yancey Proffitt, and Caroline Wilson Spangenberg.”

1970

Gil Adams is pictured visiting the Beech Mountain Ski Patrol building named in his honor after a 50-year career at Beech Mountain Ski Resort. In 1982, Gil assumed the role of patrol director, a position he held for over 38 years. He held many positions while working at Beech, including snowmaker, snow reporter, carpenter, lift supervisor, and marketing director.

1972

In July 2025, Joanne and Matt Flournoy invited members of the 1971 Westminster Football State Champion team to a dinner at Piastra on the square in Marietta to welcome new Head Football Coach Nelson Stewart to the Westminster family. Also in attendance: Jeff Lewis ’73, Bruce Bryant, Tommy Barwick, Jannard Wade, Bruce Durkee, and Jimmy Pressley

Matt’s documentation of the event can be found on YouTube by searching under Westminster Football 1971 State Champions Mini Reunion to Welcome New Coach Nelson Stewart 7-12-25.

Nell Robinson was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025 from Keep Smyrna Beautiful. Nell was recognized for her unwavering commitment to the organization, including serving on the board for almost three decades, serving as co-chair of the Annual Garden Tour and plant sale for many years, volunteering for a myriad of events such as Bring One for the Chipper, Storm Drain Marking, and Rivers Alive Clean-Up.

1973

Jeff Lewis writes, “I sing once a month at the Old Vinings Inn. Westminster folks are very welcome! My accompanist Misha Stefanuk and I do take requests. We do ‘Luck Be a Lady,’ a song I performed at Westminster.” Wildcats should check “Live Entertainment” on the Old Vinings Inn website for dates and times in 2026 (typically a 7:30 or 8:00 start). Reservations recommended due to space limitations. Jeff recommends an Old Fashioned and the shrimp and grits to go with all the show fun!

1975

Jim Durrett received the Community Impact Award from ULI Atlanta on September 18. “I was the first executive director of this organization from 2000 to 2005,” he writes. Jim informs that he will also retire from his leadership positions with the Buckhead Community Improvement District and the Buckhead Coalition in March.

1976

Lewis Jeffries bought The Colonnade, Atlanta’s second-oldest restaurant at 98 years in operation. Open seven nights with lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Special thanks to classmates Bruce Cohen and Susan Nickerson for their support. “Expect an adjacent piano bar in 2026. Stay tuned—pun intended,” Lewis writes.

Ben Joel was selected by Forbes as a “Best-in-State Wealth Advisor” for the state of Georgia. This is the sixth time Ben has been selected for this award.

1980

Cydnee Dubrof submitted three photos with updates: “Several members of the Class of 1980 enjoyed Naked Gun. We were especially fond of Billionaire #1, our very own Eddie DuPriest (retired faculty).” Pictured (left to right): Penn McClatchey, Rob McDonough, Vern Hendrix, actor Liam Neeson (photographed), Cydnee Dubrof (kneeling), Stan Whitmire, Anne Hodges McClatchey, and Peter Rooney

Cydnee and Rob “McDubrof” later celebrated with former faculty/staff Eddie and Mary DuPriest at Hal’s.

Cydnee Dubrof “has taken on a new challenge: modeling! After losing 150 pounds (all the glory to Mounjaro, Noom, and intermittent fasting) she signed with an agency and got her first gig. You may not recognize her with her new, short ’do…”

Theodore (Tedd) Alexander was recently named Head of Global Integrated Equity at T. Rowe Price.

1982

Randy Steinbrenner and wife Jennifer write, “Our daughter Caroline graduated from CU and now works for Red Bull in Atlanta. The Steinbrenners took the trip of a lifetime to Venice, Florence, and Rome in 2024. It was a blast. We now live in Miramar Beach, Florida. Say hello if you’re in town.”

1985

Cathy and Wirt Jones recently visited with Wirt’s classmate Martin Fackler, who is living in Tokyo.

L

E AD WIT H

L E G ACY.

“Including Westminster as a beneficiary of my IRA was an easy decision we believe deeply in the School’s vision and the enduring values it instills. We’re proud to support Lead On, the Campaign for Westminster, an d t h e tr a ns f or m at io na l bu il ding pr o je c ts t h at w il l serve generations to come.”

Mi ke E g a n ’ 7 4 , Em eritus Truste e, P ’ 0 2 , ’ 0 4 , ’ 0 6, ’1 3

With Westminster as part of your estate plan, you ensure that future generations benefit from the traditions, excellence, and opportunities Wildcats cherish today

Visit westmi n s t e r.net / plan n edgivin g to learn m o re about maki n g a n estate gif t and ho w you ca n joi n The Corner s tone Societ y

1988

On July 25, Bernard (B.J.) Winfrey published his second epic fantasy-adventure novel, Beware the Icestorm, on Amazon (ebook and paperback). It is the sequel to his first novel, The Final Lesson, published in 2016.

1989

James Ottley and longtime Northside Neighbor columnist Thornton Kennedy have started a podcast called History for Cocktail Parties, which is available on most podcast platforms. He hopes you will give it a listen and a like!

1990

Rob Kutner writes, “I started off in Westminster’s pre-K laughing and joking so much I had to be sent out in the hall. Fortunately, decades later I figured out how to monetize that.” Published in March 2025, the latest work of the Emmy-, Grammy-, and Peabody Award-winning comedy writer is titled The Jews: 5,000 Years and Counting, a more accessible, young audience-friendly introduction to Jewish history. “Makes a great Bar/Bat Mitzvah gift,” adds the Los Angeles-based alum.

1991

Matt Stanard, professor of history at Berry College and, since 2024, the president of The French Colonial Historical Society, recently began leading study-abroad trips to Europe, including summer 2025 travel to Belgium, Poland, and Germany with a group of Berry students. In August 2025, Stanard co-led the Jacob and Yetta Gelman International Research Workshop at the

Then and now: Mike in 1974 and with his wife, Mindy

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. He is currently researching and writing his fifth book, a global history of Belgian colonialism in central Africa, under contract with Polity Press (Cambridge, UK).

1992

Dr. Nick Curry is completing his 19th year teaching at the University of North Florida (UNF) in Jacksonville, where he serves as Professor of Cello, Assistant Director of the School of Music, and director of music scholarships and admissions. The co-founder of the Lawson Ensemble has performed across North America, in Spain, Slovenia, Austria, France, England, Germany, and Turkey, as well as on the long-running variety radio show A Prairie Home Companion. The award-winning professor started and directs the Jacksonville Cello Workshop, which typically attracts 80 to 90 student cellists each year. Nick credits the great chamber music and orchestral program at Westminster with providing the early tools that helped him build toward his life as a professional musician.

1995

Jennifer Hammaker Rondeau and Katherine Taylor ’18 recently performed in a six-week off-Broadway run of The Trojans, an original synth-wave musical in which warehouse workers reenact the legendary tales of their hometown’s high school glory days of the 1980s, loosely following the mythic heroes and demigods of The Iliad. The New Yorker praised the show as “a gorgeously produced downtown epic... rich in the way that theatre is meant to be rich—with imagination, intelligence, and potential.”

1997

Abby Lockwood is part owner of Arista Advanced Pet Care, a specialty and emergency veterinary hospital that opened in Sandy Springs in April 2025. Abby is the veterinary surgeon on staff and works alongside emergency doctors and specialists in internal medicine and oncology. When not working, she enjoys playing soccer and racing cars.

1998

Ernie Wetzler has recently taken on a new position as Commissioner of the Northside Youth Organization Flag Football League. He hopes to catch up with Wildcat alumni on the fields!

1999

Parmelee Shuford Miller and Elizabeth Searcy (mother of alumnae Maddy Weinstein ’25) co-launched KickIt (www.kickitpajamas.com), a first-of-its-kind company that designs and sells clothing for women undergoing treatment for cancer and other diseases. Inspired by other co-founders’ experiences with cancer (as patient and caregiver), Parmelee and Elizabeth aim to provide comfortable, beautiful, and functional clothing that brings a sense of normalcy and dignity throughout a woman’s cancer journey. A portion of their sales go to cancer research and support organizations.

2000

Katherine Thomas Jacques writes, “Our sweet dog, Rosie, began volunteering with Happy Tails and hopes to visit Westminster at the next event! Ruby welcomed five precious puppies [in 2025] and looks forward to joining Rosie as a Happy Tails volunteer!”

2001

Andrew Maxwell writes, “All is well in Nashville and getting excited for our 25th reunion [in April]!” Andrew shares that he and his wife Robyn welcomed their second child, a daughter, in October and three-year-old son Charlie “is laughing, singing, and keeping us busy all the time!”

2003

Clayton Edwards and wife Emily recently enjoyed their time together this past July at Young Life’s Trail West Family Camp in Colorado. They recommend to all Westminster alumni who enjoy family fun and growing closer with God in the great outdoors!

Amelia Rawls Medina and husband Nate have moved back to Atlanta from Arlington, Virginia, with their two sons, Maxon (4 1/2) and Henry (1 1/2). Expect to see them at Wildcat football games this fall!

2004

Alison Perlberg Wynn is the incoming Director of Belonging at The Lovett School.

2009

Chris Butsch has launched a business helping people buy cars—YourCarNegotiator.org. A former Lead Autos Writer for Money Under 30 and ConsumerAffairs, he deployed his expertise and negotiating skills to save time and money for friends and family. As Atlanta’s first “wheel estate agent,” Chris has already served many alums.

2012

Forester McClatchey has a book of poetry, Killing Orpheus, coming out from Carnegie Mellon in early 2026.

2019

Justin Jones is in his second year with Homes.com Despite the loss of his father Gary Jones, a beloved teacher and coach for Westminster, Justin continues his legacy through hard work and sowing seeds of success while advancing in the real estate marketing industry.

2020

Taylor Boozer writes, “I visited Alison Wilkinson in Japan when she was teaching abroad. We had so much fun sight-seeing in Tokyo, visiting Mount Fuji, and seeing the cherry blossoms!”

2022

Nicolas Harvey, Elijah Patterson, and Christian Flournoy ’23 connected at Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s 98th General Convention and 119th Anniversary Convention this past summer in Philadelphia. The theme for this year’s convention was “Reimagining Alpha for the Future.” Nicholas is a senior at Columbia University, Elijah is a senior at USC, and Christian Flournoy ’23 is a junior at Cornell University. Founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University, Alpha Phi Alpha is the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men. Notable members of Alpha Phi Alpha include Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Honorable Mayor Maynard Jackson, and Senator Raphael Warnock.

2023

Christian Flournoy was elected Executive Vice President of Cornell University’s Student Assembly for the 2025-26 academic year. Christian, a junior and member of the Sprint Football Team, was also elected Chapter President of the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the members of which include historical civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., NAACP founder W.E.B. Du Bois, Rev. Joseph Lowery, and the Honorable Andrew Young.

2024

Kate Harley , Fifo Chlopek , and Gideon Zemedhun recently reunited in Germany during their respective study-abroad programs. They visited Munich and hiked in Bavaria.

Retired Faculty

Eddie DuPriest (retired faculty) shares three photographs from his recent experience of being cast in the movie Naked Gun. Images include 26 the party at Parkway Pointe (Eddie, shown on the front row, writes, “The theater had a bunch of alums and former/current faculty members.”), 27 Eddie attending the screening of

the movie at LA’s Paramount Studios, and 28 Eddie and actor Danny Huston, who stars as the main villain. Eddie adds, “Danny insisted we do ‘crab hands’! The movie’s doing great so far!”

To go back in time, to speak with the dead, to intimately personalize a global cataclysm—that’s what retired Westminster faculty member Lasley Gober accomplishes with her 2025 book, Letters from Inside the Whale: Resuming the Conversation My Father and I Never Had… About His War. The past Westminster parent and current grandparent writes, “The book is structured as a correspondence between my dad’s letters written to his mother from the Pacific during World War II and me, his daughter, responding to those letters from here in the 21st century.” Lasley began writing the book following her retirement in 2014, more than two decades after her father’s passing.

Marriages

Congratulations to all Wildcats celebrating recent marriages! This section reflects announcements received by August 8, 2025.

2008

Catherine Worthington and Max Dutcher, March 22, 2025

1965

Martha Eskew and Chet Tisdale, January 23, 2025

1973

Pat Weaver and Cliff Martinez, April 8, 2025

2012

Jake Candler and Lindsay Castleberry, September 7, 2024

Memory Lane Revisiting the Westminster days of this year’s reunion classes

2014

Catherine Zhang and Andrew He, May 10, 2024

2015

Jacqueline Baltz and Alexander Silliman, June 14, 2025

2021

Annie Li and Ronald Anglade, July 10, 2025

2015

Erin Lamberth and Samuel Lauten, November 16, 2024

Births and Adoptions

Welcome to the Wildcat family, new additions! This section reflects announcements received by July 29, 2025.

2003

1990

Madeleine L. Palmer, April 16, 2025, daughter of Eva Molnar and Nathan Palmer

1999

Eleanor Rose Muong, December 13, 2024, daughter of Mary Beth Drake Muong and John Muong (pictured with grandfather David Drake ’61)

Beau Elie Reaves, July 6, 2025, son of Valerie and Patrick Reaves

2006

Grace Sinclair Wilson, December 11, 2024, daughter of Martha and Charles Wilson

2010

2008

Ellis James Gainer, July 12, 2025, son of Katie Franchot Gainer and Sam Gainer

Carson Robert Hein, June 20, 2025, son of Tindall Sewell Hein and Eric Hein

2013

Lucine Seta Sterling, October 12, 2024, daughter of Sela Sarkisian-Sterling and Michael Sterling

2009

Elizabeth Florence Perry, July 21, 2025, daughter of Graham Perry and Lucy Perry

2014

Mary Andrew “Mary Drew” Sommerman, April 29, 2025, daughter of Sheridan Nulty Sommerman and Andrew Sommerman

In Memoriam

We extend our deepest sympathies to the members of the Westminster community who have recently lost a loved one. Included in these listings are immediate family members of the deceased who graduated from or attended Washington Seminary, NAPS, or Westminster.

This issue reflects deaths reported or received by August 23, 2025. Family listings may not be comprehensive.

NAPS Alumnae

1950

Jacquelyn “Jackie” Josey Hahne, April 23, 2025, mother of Hank Hall ’75, Caroline Hall Knight ’78, and Nancy Hall Guritz ’81

Washington Seminary Alumnae

1953

Constance Wilson Treloar, June 12, 2025, mother of Ralph Paris ’79 and Constance Paris Yuschok ’80

In Memoriam:

Rick Byrd

Former Westminster students and colleagues wrote about finding the humanity in history, living with meaning, and giving of oneself in the moment and across years—they wrote about teacher Norman Richard “Rick” Byrd. The humble ways of the tall Gulf Coast native belied the indelible mark he left on generations of Wildcats, who benefited greatly from his tireless generosity and special ability to inspire students beyond lesson to revelation.

Rick, a beloved Westminster teacher, coach, and director for more than three and a half decades, passed away peacefully in July 2025 in the arms of his beloved wife Martha in Fairhope, Alabama. He was 73.

“We lost a wonderful friend of the world, of history, of learning, of storytelling, of music, and poetry,” says Lasley Gober, who taught American Studies with Rick from 1999 to 2011. “Inside and outside the

Westminster Alumni

1952

Dianne Friddell McInvale, April 21, 2025

1955

Erroll Hay III, June 27, 2025

1956

Virginia “Ginny” Gaines Dearborn , May 22, 2025, sister of of Delia Gaines Thompson ’67; mother of Delia Dearborn Ford ’85 and William F. Ford Jr. ’92

1957

Carol Hermann Rubinson, March 21, 2025

1961

Leah Amy Card-Lillios, August 16, 2025 1963

Donald Alexander Leslie, Jr., June 15, 2025, father of Meredith A. Leslie ’95 and Christopher Branch Leslie ’00

1964

Julia Keller Casey, October 28, 2024

Robert “Bob” Padgette, July 5, 2025, brother of Deedee Padgette ’69

classroom, Rick would have us know that history matters, the humanities matter, community matters, and lifelong learning matters–because there's always more out there worth discovering, studying, and sharing with others.”

Rick began his career at Westminster in 1982, serving as history teacher for 36 years, chairing the History Department for two terms, and claiming the James Bunnell History Chair Award in 2011. His extracurricular activities included coaching championshipwinning boys and girls basketball teams and nationally ranked squash teams. He also served as Director of Studies from 1997 until his retirement.

Rick embodied the Westminster concept of a servant leader. When the School needed someone to launch the girls squash program, he stepped up. When Westminster needed the teacher and coach to add Director of Studies to his responsibilities, Rick served in the role for 20 years. The son of a nurse

and self-described “old-school humanitarian” helped from the classroom to the registrar’s office, the basketball court to the squash courts, and generation to generation.

“Rick was passionate, gifted, dedicated, funny, brilliant, and caring,” says Sam Schaffer ’93, a former Wildcat basketball player who, with Rick’s regular mentorship, charted his own path to becoming a history teacher and school administrator. ”At the heart of it, he was a giver–he gave his time, his wisdom, his love, and his spirit–and he gave it all unabashedly, willingly, joyfully, and unconditionally.”

In Memoriam: Bob Ward

Bob Ward served Westminster for nearly three decades as an administrator, coach, and teacher. With a profound appreciation for the Wildcat community and an inspiring vision for the meaningful role sports can play in the life of a school, the longtime Athletics Director forged a deeply committed leadership path that helped define the Westminster experience for generations of students.

An active member of the Westminster community well beyond his retirement in 2000, Bob passed away peacefully in June 2025 after battling an infection that impacted his kidneys. His son, Wright Ward ’03, was by his side.

“Bob Ward was a special person who made Westminster a better place because of his genuine love of the

1966

Samuel “Sam” Prioleau Fuller, June 10, 2025, husband of Carol Ann McKenzie Fuller ’66; brother of Carleton S. Fuller ’60

1969

Cindy Koontz Demme, June 19, 2025, mother of Kat Wallace ’00

1973

Arthur Benjamin “Ben” Simms IV, July 6, 2025, brother of Jane Simms Hamner ’75 and Anne Simms Goodgame ’77; father of Kimberly Simms Goodson ’04 and Ben Simms V ’07

1976

Vic Bolton, August 22, 2025, brother of Clarence J. Bolton ’77

1980

Jeff Michell, June 12, 2025

School and its athletics program,” says David Drake ’61, who coached alongside Bob. “I was privileged to work with him in every area; I was lucky because he was my friend.”

Joining the Westminster community in 1972, Bob taught history, English, and Bible in both the Junior High and High School. He also served as an eighth-grade class advisor, Junior High chaplain, and seventhgrade football coach. He later took on leadership roles within the School’s JV and Varsity Boys Basketball programs.

In 1982, Bob was named Director of Athletics, helping to build Westminster sports into one of the most successful programs in Georgia and the nation. During his 18-year tenure as Director of Athletics, the number of teams grew from 32 to 73, earning 139 regional and area championships and 84 state championships. The 1998 inductee into Westminster’s Breithaupt Athletic Hall of Fame was

1999

Erik Entrekin, April 22, 2025, brother of Alex Entrekin ’02

David Whitney Schmidt, August 13, 2025

2024

Audrey DeShetler, June 8, 2025, sister of Scott DeShetler ’21

Westminster Community Members

Norman Richard “Rick” Byrd, July 7, 2025, retired faculty

Tom Cousins, July 29, 2025, father of Lillian Cousins Giornelli ’78

Thomas “Tom” B. Curtis, May 22, 2025, retired faculty; father of Steve Curtis ’86

William Dixon, May 3, 2025, husband of Mary Wayne Dixon ’57

a fierce advocate for girls’ athletics, championing the transition of several girls’ programs from club level to GHSA-sanctioned varsity teams.

“Trying to keep a legion of coaches, administrators, and parents happy, keeping every athletic team on budget, and, most importantly, making sure that certain standards were upheld was a difficult job, but sportsmanship and professionalism were very high priorities for Bob,” says George Berry, retired Westminster teacher and football and wrestling coach. “There was a right way to do things, and he wasn’t going to let anyone forget that.”

John Raymond Harrison, April 26, 2025, former Trustee

Mark Perlberg, March 11, 2025, father of Matthew Perlberg ’01, Alison Perlberg Wynn ’04, and Steven Perlberg ’09

Lisa Sirmer, July 28, 2025, After School Kids! (ASK!) counselor, July 28, 2025

John R. “Bob” Ward, June 13, 2025, retired faculty and staff; father of Wright Ward ’03

Marjorie “Molly” Wheeler, July 21, 2025, mother of Elizabeth Barnes Taptich ’83

Charles Priester Wilgus, May 30, 2025, son of Charlie Wilgus, Jr. ’91

From Our Founding

There’s a wholesome intensity about life at Westminster—and it can be contagious. When students see faculty members work hard and conscientiously, they demand this effort of themselves. And their shared values can also help bring about a rare camaraderie and zest for living.”

– Dr. William L. Pressly, Founding President

As our School prepares to enter its next chapter, the words of Dr. William L. Pressly, Westminster’s founding president, remain a guiding presence. Drawing on Dr. Pressly’s writings and decades of institutional experience, From Our Founding was crafted by School leadership: President Keith Evans, the Board of Trustees, and senior leadership. This statement affirms the shared values that have shaped our School since its beginning and provides a strong foundation for Westminster’s future.

From our founding in 1951 to the present day, Westminster has aspired to provide an exceptional student experience focused on the pursuit of academic and personal excellence. We strive to be an inclusive community, upholding the dignity of all people as the essential expression of our character as a Christian school. At Westminster, our students find abundant opportunities to exercise initiative and meet new challenges in a caring, supportive environment designed to foster lifelong friendships. Our campus is animated by the joy that comes from stretching beyond limitations as our students become leaders of conscience distinguished by courage, humility, and optimism.

Whom We Serve

We seek to serve intellectually motivated, curious students who bring diverse gifts to our community. Westminster students are mentored by faculty and staff eager to unlock their unique potential through innovative teaching and leadership beyond the classroom in athletics, the arts, and an array of extracurricular opportunities. Our culture is rooted in a commitment to continuous learning and exploration in the pursuit of excellence. We engage parents, alumni, trustees, the broader Atlanta community, and international partners as collaborators in creating a dynamic environment well-matched to our talented students.

Our Values

A Westminster student’s character is shaped by our School’s inclusive Christian mission. In all dimensions of our life together, Jesus’ example of love and service to others is our ideal and leads us to embrace the diverse faith traditions at our School. We meet each other and the world around us with compassion and empathy in order to instill the powerful sense of belonging we desire for everyone at Westminster. We believe that establishing high standards of integrity for our school community will foster a steadfast commitment to honor in our students. Finally, our community is at its best when we encounter new opportunities to grow with a spirit of openness and collaboration.

Our Vision

Westminster’s vision is to inspire each of our students to make an enduring contribution to the world by embracing the call to leadership. We cultivate their ability to see their moral and ethical obligations while building resilience to overcome the inevitable challenges they will encounter. We equip our students with the values that give meaning to their ambition and the skills needed to bring together people of diverse and divergent perspectives. Our students’ engagement as leaders at Westminster sets the stage for a lifetime of dedication to a purpose larger than themselves in a spirit of love and service. Our aspiration is that these habits of heart and mind will be the hallmark of Westminster students and alumni and expand the impact of our School in the world.