USM Today - Spring/Summer 2020-21

SPRING/SUMMER 2020–21

| a magazine for the usm community

feature

Reading: How We Teach It and Why It Matters

SAYING FAREWELL

LIVE THEATRE RETURNS

GIRLS LACROSSE WINS STATE

A Fitting Send-off Families, friends, teachers, and administrators gathered together on a beautiful summer evening in June to celebrate USM’s Class of 2021. It was a night to remember. In his first Commencement address as head of school at USM, Steve Hancock praised the students for their leadership, grace, and understanding during a difficult year. “You leave us today and we hope USM stays with you,” he said. “That you keep us close, and that you stay close to those who surround you. Congratulations to the Class of 2021. We are thrilled to send you off into the world and can’t wait to see you again.”

Students also heard from Neil Dogra ’21, valedictorian, and alumnus Lane MacDonald ’84, who gave the Commencement address. The evening concluded with a celebration of fireworks—a fitting end to a memorable year and a memorable graduating class.

Kenyon Kirksey ’21 watched the fireworks, which marked the end of the 2021 Commencement proceedings, with his fellow graduates.

On the cover Pictured is a collection of books curated by USM’s librarians, on loan from each division’s library. Reading is a cornerstone of USM’s curriculum in all divisions. Learn how it is taught, and why it matters, on page 8.

in this issue Read All About It Reading is fundamental to a USM education, and key to developing vocabulary, grammar, and spelling. Learn how we teach students to read and, more importantly, how we teach them to love reading.

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Girls Lacrosse Wins State The Girls’ Lacrosse team had an undefeated season and earned their first state championship.

18 | In the Spotlight Live, in-person performances return to campus, with Middle School’s “Newsies” (pictured) and Upper School’s “Legally Blonde.”

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Thank You

cover to cover

03 | view from the tower

14 | locker room

18 | spotlight

Hard to Say Goodbye We say goodbye to faculty and staff members who are retiring after many years of serving the school.

20 | in focus

24 | beyond usm

USM TODAY STAFF

2020–21 LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

HEAD OF SCHOOL

HEAD OF PRESCHOOL AND LOWER SCHOOL

Tim Eilbes, Director of Marketing and Communications

Steve Hancock

Michael Tauscher

MANAGING EDITOR

ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

PRESIDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Pamela Seiler, Communications and Public Relations Manager

Gregg Bach

Stephen B. Guy

ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN

HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

PRESIDENT, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

McDill

Stuart Cushman

Barbie Brennan Nelson ’91

ONLINE EDITOR

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

PRESIDENT, PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Eric Schad, Marketing and Digital Communications Manager

Elaine Griffin

Colleen Polston

PHOTOGRAPHY

Visual Image Photography Jennifer Wisniewski

USM Today is published by University School of Milwaukee twice per year. USM is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school for students from prekindergarten through grade 12.

Our editorial staff has made every attempt to ensure the accuracy of information reported, and we apologize for any inadvertent errors that may have occurred.

To change your address, your child’s address, or to unsubscribe, please contact the USM Advancement office at 414.540.3339 or advancement@usmk12.org.

PARENTS OF ALUMNI: If you are still receiving your child’s USM Today even though he/she no longer lives with you, please let us know so we can send the magazine directly to him/her.

from the head of school

Dear USM Family, My first year at University School of Milwaukee has come to an end. The past 12 months have been exhilarating and beyond my wildest imagination. I have come to know many in our community, and I look forward to meeting many more parents and alumni in my “second-first year” at USM. I can’t wait to hear your stories about your own adventures at our school.

By every metric, this has been a successful year.

Our students thrived in our classrooms that were held both online and in-person. Throughout the pages of this issue, you will see some of our signature programs and students in action. We worked hard to battle the virus, but we worked equally hard to deliver a strong, robust educational program. An effort is already underway to evaluate our academic offerings as we enter a strategic design phase for the school.

Our faculty continues to be USM’s greatest asset.

We can all think back to a teacher who changed our lives. Each day I see these teachers in action, I am impressed and in awe. We have a strong group of dedicated professionals who love both their subjects and the students surrounding them. The normal cycle of schools gives pause each year as we say farewell to a few of those exceptional individuals who have changed lives. This issue celebrates our recent retirees who represent over 300 years of service to USM.

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USM TODAY | SPRING / SUMMER 2020–21

A recent conversation with one of our retirees, with over 30 years of devoted service to USM, revealed a special love for the school. She proclaimed, “This is where I learned to love teaching. USM has been my home and my family for nearly four decades.”

While we have said “farewell” to these outstanding individuals, we hope and trust they will come back home to share memories and wisdom. As you read through the profiles of our retirees, I am sure many will remember wonderful times in their classrooms throughout the generations of USM graduates.

While we celebrate those individuals who are leaving, we are excited for new faculty and staff members to join us starting this summer. They bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and ample experience of their own to share, and we look forward to welcoming them to the community.

Enjoy these summer months. I look forward to sharing news of our strategic work and campus enhancements in future issues.

All the best,

view from the tower

We’ll Miss You!

Nikki Sweeney and Sylvester Cutler have taken new leadership opportunities at The Village School of Naples and Greenhills School, respectively.

NIKKI SWEENEY After 21 years at University School of Milwaukee, Nikki (Lucyk) Sweeney has taken a new role at The Village School of Naples, Florida, where she is the head of upper school and assistant head of school.

Sweeney started at USM teaching in the Lower School, but her role quickly evolved and expanded. She was vital in developing many key programs in the areas of technology at USM, and has been a role model for young women interested in math, science, and technology. Her vision and work were central in establishing the signature Lubar Center for Innovation and Exploration, which opened in 2017. She also helped to launch USM’s award-winning FIRST Robotics team that same year.

Before that, her belief in the positive aspects of technology led to the implementation of USM’s 1:1 Program in the 2012–13 school year, which now provides students in grades 1 through 12 with their own dedicated personal computing devices.

Sweeney believes that young people need only trust and opportunity to flourish. This belief was borne out in the creation of the nationally recognized House of Technology, where students provide technology and equipment support to the school, of which she played a pivotal role. “Many of Nikki’s former students would say that they owe their direction, their confidence, even their careers, to the trust that Nikki placed in them,” said Stuart Cushman, head of Upper School.

“While I will miss Nikki’s friendship and advice, I wholeheartedly support her interest in pursuing an academic leadership position and look forward to visiting her in sunny Naples, Florida,” said Gregg Bach, assistant head of school.

SYLVESTER CUTLER Sylvester Cutler has accepted a new position as director of enrollment management at Greenhills School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Cutler started at USM in 2008, and held many roles while at the school, including assistant dean of students in the Upper School, advisor, varsity basketball coach, and, most recently, associate director of Enrollment Management and director of financial aid and scholarships.

Cutler accomplished much during his time at USM. In addition to meeting with new school families through the enrollment process, he managed USM’s financial aid and scholarship programs, working in partnership with current and prospective families to help ensure that a USM education remains accessible.

Cutler established relationships with area schools, including Bruce-Guadalupe Middle School and Milwaukee College Prep, and participated in outreach by visiting schools and attending high school fairs.

“Connecting prospective families to USM has been rewarding and I have learned so much from the great work that is done both in the classroom and behind the scenes,” said Cutler.

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view from the tower

Operation: Dove Drop Students made and hid hundreds of origami doves around the Upper School to raise mental health awareness and inject some levity while preparing for finals and AP exams.

Over the course of three days in May, the Upper School experienced an infestation—of origami doves.

Members of the student chapter of REDgen made and hid more than 400 paper doves around the Upper School to lift spirits, build community, and promote the month of May as Mental Health Awareness month.

Students were invited to find as many doves as possible, and turn them in in exchange for a raffle ticket and a chance to win small prizes.

strategies, and a student raffle. The Middle School student chapter of REDgen also made origami doves and hung up posters and flyers.

“I reconnected with so many students when they turned in their doves,” said Perry, “and it led to lots of great conversations. Students are asking to do this again next year and have already generated ideas on how we can make it even better.”

Members of the REDgen student chapter coordinated and organized the event, with resources and support from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

REDgen is a local organization that promotes and advocates for youth mental health and well-being, and USM is one of its partners.

In addition to the doves, students hung posters around the Upper School to promote mental health awareness, REDgen, and to encourage students to think about their own mental health. Students also distributed pins with ribbons for individuals to wear, with cards that included available resources for individuals needing help. “More than anything, I think this event raised the image of REDgen within our school,” said Lizzy Perry, Upper School counselor.

“This was just a fun, easy thing for students to do. The school year was difficult, so it felt nice to do something informal and low-stakes while promoting a really positive message.”

USM’s Middle School also held a variety of events promoting mental health, including a REDgen resilience week in April, which featured dress-up days that aligned with resiliency-building skills or coping

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Emily Igwike ’24 (left) and Zachary Sardas-Trevorrow ’23 counted the number of doves from each grade. The grade that collected the most doves (10th grade) won an out-ofuniform day.

A dove waiting to be found in the Stratton Upper School Library.

Spring Cum Laude Society

USM Welcomes New CFO

Eleven seniors were welcomed into the Cum Laude Society in spring: Carlos Banda, Kai Bartl, Basma Daham, Ella DeToro, Mira Giles-Pufahl, Mya Johnson, Madeline Marler, Madeleine Megal, Nicholas Potter, Lydia Rasetti, and Maanya Shetty.

Kelly McGuire has started as USM’s new chief financial officer. McGuire has served in the same role for the Chicago Yacht Club since 2017, and worked in various executive-level finance positions, along with additional finance experience.

USM TODAY | SPRING / SUMMER 2020–21

view from the tower

The Sky is Not the Limit Third grade students in Brita Willis’ class created a museum in honor of groundbreaking mathematician Katherine Johnson.

It can be hard to predict what will capture the attention of 3rd grade students. So when her class became fascinated with the life and career of Katherine Johnson, a pioneering Black female mathematician, Brita Willis ran with it. After reading the book “Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly and Winifred Conkling, Willis noticed that many of her students felt a connection to Johnson. Johnson was featured in the book (along with three other Black women) for her calculations as a NASA employee, which were critical to the success of the first, and subsequent, crewed space flights. “The students recognized the significance of Katherine’s life and what it meant for the future of African American women in STEM careers,” said Willis. “As a class, they decided that her life was definitely one worth celebrating.”

The best way to celebrate her life, they thought, was to create a museum in her honor. The students

determined which areas of her career to highlight, including her work designing John Glenn’s orbit of the Earth, and her calculations related to Apollo 11’s lunar module. They then chose the areas that interested them the most, began their research, and created exhibits ranging from physical models to posters, and even a movie script about her life.

Students also memorized five-sentence monologues related to their exhibits, and invited faculty, staff, and other students to experience the museum.

Not only did the students learn about Johnson’s remarkable life and career, they gained valuable experience in teamwork, research, public speaking, reading, and writing. “Their ability to share their learning with their peers and adults demonstrated their understanding,” said Willis. “But watching them display kindness and compassion makes my job even more rewarding.”

Check Mate

Ihrke Named gcLi Scholar

USM’s top chess team, Nicholas Hu ’23, Divya Pandey ’22, Aditya Pillai ’23, Hersh Singh ’24, and Branden White ’21, won the state chess meet. Hersh Singh ’24 won 1st place in the 2021 U.S. Junior Chess Congress, and won the K-9 Chess Championship.

Emily Tymus Ihrke, Upper School English teacher and co-coordinator of USM’s PK–12 Ethical Leadership program, served as a scholar at the 2021 gcLi Leadership Lab, where teachers learn how to develop the leadership competencies of their students.

Visit www.usm.org/news for more news stories.

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view from the tower

Kindness is Contagious USM hosted a week-long celebration of kindness in April, which also tied into 414 Milwaukee Day on April 14.

Studies have shown that observing and practicing kindness can create a ripple effect of happiness in others—which was the goal of Kindness Week at USM. The school hosted many events during the week of April 12, all designed to spread cheer both on campus and throughout Milwaukee.

Students collected school and art supplies to benefit Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, the Parents’ Association hosted outdoor coffee events throughout the week, kindergarten students wrote motivational letters to seniors, several grades held cross-divisional reading events, and Flik Independent School Dining supplied a special Milwaukee-focused menu on April 14 in celebration of 414 Milwaukee Day. In addition, USM collected financial gifts in support of the newly created USM Bridge Fund, which provides short-term tuition assistance for school families facing financial hardships.

Middle School students looked for their names on a Kindness Week sign created by members of the Parents’ Association.

To visualize the responsibility that each of us has to be kind, members of the Parents’ Association created kindness bridges in each of the school’s divisions and the administrative wing featuring the names of every student, faculty, and staff member.

Many thanks to Andres and Juliana Elejalde, and David and Liza ’99 Sadoff, for devoting many hours of their free time to concept, assemble, and install the bridges throughout school.

We never know how far an act of kindness, even a small one, can spread.

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Upper School student Jackson Darr ’24 read a book about kindness to 3rd grade students in Morgan Woods’ ’08 class.

Hillary Dwamena ’33, along with her kindergarten classmates, wrote notes of encouragement to seniors as they prepared for their AP exams.

Team 6823

Students Compete at ISEF

USM’s FIRST Robotics Team 6823 received multiple awards this season, including third place in the skills competition and winner of the autonomous award, among others. In addition, Mackenzie Petersen ’23 was selected as a Dean’s List Finalist from the Wisconsin region.

Buwei Chen ’22, Mya Johnson ’21, Jordan Thomas ’23, and Max Watchmaker ’23 competed at the 2021 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Watchmaker won the third grand award, and Johnson earned a scholarship.

USM TODAY | SPRING / SUMMER 2020–21

view from the tower

Examining the Past Through a Modern-day Lens With their National History Day projects, 8th grade students apply modern-day skills through a historical context.

The documentary film opens with powerful footage of Jim McKay broadcasting live from the 1972 Summer Olympics. McKay, a sports journalist, was reporting on the abduction and murder of 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team by Palestinian terrorists: “They’re all gone,” he said.

The film was created by Middle School students Bella Grenier ’25 and Sarah Mackey ’25 for their National History Day 2021 project, which is a year-long academic program in which every 8th grade student at USM participates. They select a person or event to research, and then develop a final project in the form of a historical paper, website, documentary, exhibit, or performance. Their research is framed within a theme that changes every year, and this year’s theme was Communication in History: The Key to Understanding.

The experience culminates in a series of contests at the local and affiliate levels and an annual national competition in the nation's capital in June.

Grenier and Mackey knew they wanted to research a terrorist attack, but were not sure how to narrow their focus until Chuck Taft, 8th grade American studies history teacher, mentioned the events at the 1972 Summer Olympics. “We focused our project on the effect that McKay’s broadcast had on the rest of the world,” said Grenier. “It revolutionized live news coverage and it changed how terrorists use news media for attention.” Not only did they have to research the event and analyze it within the framework of communication, they had to teach themselves how to edit film clips, record audio

Sarah Mackey ’25 (left) and Bella Grenier ’25.

Jim McKay pictured reporting from the 1972 summer Olympics in Munich.

voice-overs, and stitch it all together in a finished piece. “We liked the documentary format because we had a lot of film clips that we could incorporate,” said Mackey. “But we had to make sure the volume of our voice-overs was the same and that the timing matched with each clip. We definitely learned a lot.”

For Taft, who was one of 15 educators selected by NHD to write and test a series of student guides, the project is a culmination of experiences. “Regardless of how they fare in the competition, every student walks away from NHD a winner,” he said. “Not only do they become historical experts in an area they’re passionate about, they gain confidence and experience.”

Visit www.usmtoday.org/NHD to see the students’ documentary and other NHD projects.

Tower Project 2021

Dogra ’21 and Morse Recognized

More than 60 students in 4th, 8th, and 12th grades participated in Tower Project capstones, in which they develop, research, and create projects for an entire year, gaining skills in research and writing, public speaking, risk-taking, and more.

Neil Dogra ’21 was one of 161 high school seniors nationwide named a U.S. Presidential Scholar. In addition, Holly Morse, Upper School Spanish teacher (now retired), was named a 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Distinguished Teacher.

Visit www.usm.org/news for more news stories.

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Read All About It It’s likely that you don’t remember many of the milestone events from your childhood—taking your first steps, speaking your first word, or sleeping in a big-kid bed for the first time. The same could probably be said for learning how to read. Do you remember reading your first word? Memorizing the alphabet?

Learning the difference between their, there, and they’re? If you’re like most people, you probably don’t.

But chances are you do remember favorite books from your childhood—whether you read them yourself or listened to someone else reading them—and how they made you feel. Reading is much more than entertainment; it’s a fundamental learning tool that increases vocabulary, spelling, grammar, empathy, and writing skills in both children and adults. That’s why reading is so important in all grade levels at University School of Milwaukee, and why our teachers dedicate so much time and energy to teaching students how to read, and also how to love reading.

Eleanor Zenga ’33 listened intently while Kree Lea ’30 read to her. (Photo taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.)

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USM TODAY | SPRING / SUMMER 2020–21

At University School of Milwaukee, reading is the foundation on which all curriculum is built. But learning the mechanics of how to read is just the start. Teachers and administrators expect that graduating seniors will leave USM with the ability and stamina to read and analyze complex texts, to be critical consumers of content, and, ultimately, to engender within themselves a lifelong love of reading. They understand that habitual, consistent reading—shown in study after study—results in better reading comprehension, writing style, vocabulary, spelling, grammatical development, increased empathy, and success in life.

They continue these lessons in kindergarten, adding gross-motor activities to help cement the knowledge into their long-term memory, as well as learning to form words by pairing different letters and sounds. “A solid foundation in phonics is vital for being able to decode and comprehend more challenging vocabulary,” said Bongiorno.

“Memorizing a list of words, their meanings, and spellings is not as effective as being exposed to a broad vocabulary through free, voluntary reading.”

First grade teacher Kelly Strains led (from left) Serena Xiao ’32 and Lauren Polos ’32 in a guided reading session.

If learning how to read—how to interpret characters and signs as having a particular meaning—seems daunting, imagine teaching it. “Personally, I think teaching a child how to read is probably one of the most challenging things to do,” said Gina Bongiorno, assistant head of Preschool and Lower School, and a former 4th grade teacher at the school.

At USM, prekindergarten and junior kindergarten students start with the basics—learning the alphabet letter by letter.

Using a phonics-based curriculum, students learn a short song associated with each letter of the alphabet to help them remember what the letter looks like and sounds like.

As students progress through Preschool and Lower School, they are introduced to USM’s guided reading program, in which teachers facilitate reading education via small-group, intentional instruction. Lower School teachers analyze the skill level of each child, determine their needs, group them appropriately with other students, create individualized lesson plans for each group, evaluate if and when they have secured that skill level, and identify where they should move to next. “The purpose of the small group is so that teachers, on a daily basis, can hear each child read and meet with them specifically to evaluate their understanding of any given skill,” said Bongiorno. “In the Lower School, we use kidney-shaped tables that allow the teacher to sit in the middle of the group, hear and watch every single student track words and read text, and provide individualized instruction as needed.

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” Tips to Foster a Love of Reading

Helping children develop a love of reading is a wonderful way to get them on the path to better writing, a diverse vocabulary, and increased empathy—but it’s not always easy. Below are five tips to help you get started.

READ TO YOUR KIDS This may seem obvious, but it’s an important first step in fostering a love of reading. Listening to a story being read out loud promotes fluent reading and teaches children to emphasize certain words, follow punctuation, and even change our voices to match characters. Depending on your child’s age, you might offer to read the book together by alternating words or pages. Get them involved by asking them what’s happening, or what they think will happen next.

FIND BOOKS THAT INTEREST THEM Go to the library together to pick out books, and ask your child which book to start with. If your child doesn’t like the book, stop reading it and pick out another. Having ownership in what they are reading empowers children, adds confidence, and promotes a positive attitude towards reading.

MODEL READING IN YOUR HOME It’s important for your child to see you reading—and enjoying it—in your free time. Make it a goal to spend 20 minutes a night to read as a family with no screens allowed.

Make your child aware that reading is an enjoyable way to spend free time. It’s not something you have to do, it’s something you get to do!

MAKE READING FUN AND SPECIAL Get creative with where and how you read, perhaps by setting up a picnic and reading outside, or pitching a blanket tent inside and reading with flashlights. Dress up as your favorite characters, or build scenes from the book using blocks, paper, and crayons. Read to family pets or stuffed animals, or set up a virtual meeting and have your child read to a family member remotely. Above all, keep it fun and light.

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USM TODAY | SPRING / SUMMER 2020–21

INCORPORATE READING IN OTHER WAYS Ask your child to help you write down the grocery list, or read a recipe while helping you bake or cook in the kitchen.

Subscribe to age-appropriate magazines, which kids love because they come in the mail and often have colorful photos, games, and fun articles.

MAKE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE BOOK AND REAL LIFE As you’re reading, find ways to make parallels between the book and real life. “I remember feeling like this when…” or “Doesn’t this seem like something grandpa would do/say?” Not only does this build engagement with the book, it helps children identify particular actions, emotions, and feelings with vocabulary.

By the time students reach Middle School, the importance of free, voluntary reading becomes more evident. According to award-winning linguist, educational researcher, and author, Dr. Stephen Krashen, children who develop a habit of reading for pleasure gain “involuntarily and without effort, nearly all of the so-called language skills that many people are so concerned about.” These skills include having a large vocabulary, the ability to understand and use complex grammatical constructions, strong writing skills, and good spelling—all of which contribute to improved test scores.

“Reading transcends every subject because students have to read in every subject,” said Francine Eppelsheimer, USM’s long-time Middle School librarian, who retired in June. “If we want them to become better learners and better students, they have to be strong readers.”

Children enjoyed the recently remodeled Stratton Preschool and Lower School Library while Preschool and Lower School Librarian Judy Clegg worked in the background.

Just as important as teaching students how to read, however, is helping them develop a love for reading. Giving students freedom and autonomy to choose their own books is critical to building engagement. Starting as early as junior kindergarten, students are allowed to choose books from the library and take them back to the classroom. In kindergarten, they start bringing their books home. “Students get really excited when they can check out their own books,” said Judy Clegg, Preschool and Lower School librarian. “They are encouraged to look through the books and decide independently if one seems interesting to them.”

Renovations to the Stratton Preschool and Lower School Library in the summer of 2019, which included new, lower shelving (making books easier to reach), new flooring, lighting, and furniture, yielded dramatic results. Students checked out 1,485 more books during the 2019–20 school year—which was held online for two months due to COVID-19—than the prior year. “Everyone who sees the remodeled space for the first time is awestruck,” said Clegg.

“It is very open, inviting, and kid-friendly. But most importantly, the design makes it easy for students to find the books they’re looking for.”

“One of the things that we’re really determined to do in Middle School is to get kids to love reading and develop a personal reading habit,” said Brad Dunning, assistant head of Middle School and former English teacher. “We have some non-readers in Middle School, some reluctant readers,” continued Eppelsheimer. “But all students—all children—are readers. You just have to find the right book.”

To nurture the habit of reading for pleasure, Eppelsheimer hosts regular book talks for each Middle School grade, in which she introduces new books and old favorites, across all genres. She also works with students individually to help them find books that might appeal to them. “I always have conversations with students about the books they are reading. If they return a book, we talk. I want to know, did they like that book? If not, well, let’s see what else we can find.”

In addition, Middle School teachers introduce choice into the curriculum, meaning students are able to choose their own books related to a particular topic. “It requires teachers to somewhat tailor the curriculum directly to the child, but all of the activities we do—whether comprehension, writing, decoding, summarizing, or identifying themes and motifs— can be done with any book,” said Dr. Laurie Walczak, Upper School English teacher and former chair of the Middle School English department. “That was a huge turning point for getting kids interested in reading, because it’s a book they have picked and are invested in. When you relinquish that control over to them, it works.”

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That said, the whole-class novel is still an important pillar of the Middle School curriculum. It’s a chance for students to read a book that stretches them while participating in whole-class discussions and debates. “Studying a novel in class is much more challenging than reading a novel at home for pleasure,” said Elaine Griffin, head of Middle School. “Rather than simply read the text passively, students in our English classes learn how to analyze a text, examining how characters grow and change, how symbols and themes develop, and how the use of language contributes to the meaning of the work. Our faculty teach students to interrogate texts so that they can become more discerning readers.”

To ensure that students have time to read, the Middle School has incorporated Outside Reading Books, which is dedicated time in school each week when students and faculty read from books of their choosing. In his research, Krashen found that students’ motivation and interest in reading is higher when they get the opportunity to read in school. He discovered that, in 51 out of 54 comparisons,

students using free, voluntary reading performed as well or better on reading tests than students given traditional, skill-based reading instruction. Part of the reason for this, according to Krashen, is because language is too complex to be learned one rule or word at a time. Memorizing a list of words, their meanings, and spellings, for example, is not as effective as being exposed to a broad vocabulary through free, voluntary reading. “If kids are not going to read outside of school, then it’s our job to give them time in school to read,” said Walczak. “If your reading skills don’t stay strong, your writing and vocabulary skills fall apart—it’s all connected.”

“Students using free, voluntary reading performed as well or better on reading tests than students given traditional, skill-based reading instruction.”

Graham Leverett ’28 read from “The Night Diary” by Veera Hiranandani in his 5th grade English class. The class discussed what they read and made connections with their lives or other books they have read, as a way to build vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and empathy.

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USM TODAY | SPRING / SUMMER 2020–21

Since joining the Upper School English faculty in 2019, Walczak has found it can be challenging to promote voluntary reading amongst older students. “We’re competing against very busy schedules, between homework, athletics, and extracurriculars,” she said. “And we’re competing against technology.” Walczak established an Upper School reading challenge, where she invited students to read 20 minutes a day or finish two books outside of school by the end of the year. When students finish a book, they put their name alongside a picture of the book on a bulletin board. “As an Upper School English department

Acevedo, Alex Kotlowitz, and Sherri Duskey Rinker. “USM validates the importance of literature, and that makes it an exciting place to be,” said Klein. “When students have the chance to meet the author of a book they have read and to engage with that person, that connection is profound.”

“All students—all children—are readers.

You just have to find the right book.”

Jordan Sadoff ’21 caught up on her reading in the Stratton Upper School Library.

we are very serious about making sure kids are reading independently, because reading has such a significant impact.”

Upper School Librarian Laura Klein employs a variety of methods to promote student- and faculty-recommended books, including presentations, hallway posters, the USM book club Instagram page, and on carts in the English classrooms. Klein often sets up tables outside of the Jack Olson ’67 Commons a few days before winter and spring breaks to display popular books, so students can conveniently find material to read over break. “The pop-up library allows students, staff, and faculty to quickly check out a book that sparks their interest, and it generates conversations,” said Klein. “This accessibility has added many new patrons to the Stratton Upper School Library.”

Like the Lower School and Middle School librarians, Klein dedicates much of her time to supporting teachers’ classroom instruction with library resources, and also helps to coordinate author visits—which are a vital component and key differentiator to USM’s reading programs in all divisions. USM has a long history of welcoming well-known and respected authors to campus, including, in recent years, Jason Reynolds, Elizabeth

Upper School humanities teachers selected “A Land of Permanent Goodbyes” as the assigned summer reading for 9th graders in 2019 and 2020, and Klein assisted with bringing the author, Atia Abawi, to campus (in 2019 and virtually in 2020). Many of the author visits are held in conjunction with independent bookstore Boswell Books and sponsored by the USM Parents’ Association. Meeting an author in person gives students a chance to see how books are created, and it also adds a layer of engagement between the book and the student. “We are so lucky to have these authors visiting our school,” said Walczak. “As a kid growing up, I would have loved to have those kinds of opportunities.”

We don’t assume that our students will remember how they learned to read. But we do believe that they will remember how reading made them feel. Because a book that we can’t stop thinking about, one that we read long past our bedtimes and that we’re sad to finish, does so much more than entertain. It expands our world, teaches us new ways of living and seeing, and inspires, challenges, and motivates us.

It is our duty to advance our students’ reading education beyond the mechanics of interpreting letters and symbols.

By encouraging a love of reading, teachers and parents are ensuring that a child’s education continues long after they leave school.

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locker room

Girls Lacrosse Wins State Championship The University School of Milwaukee girls’ lacrosse team finished an incredible season as state champions— winning the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation State Championship game on Friday, June 18. The USM team topped Arrowhead High School, 9-7, securing the program’s first state championship and finishing the season undefeated.

The team’s slogan for this season was “2021Goal,” which meant that each player identified one goal to work on for every practice and game. The goals were unique to each player, and helped them to focus on their own performance and make improvements, which ultimately impacted the whole team. “Our players had a lot of individual accolades, but what really makes a state championship is the whole team— not individuals,” said head coach and Upper School history teacher Samantha Adey. “Each player contributed to making this a successful season, and for that I am incredibly proud of this team.”

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Adey was recognized for her work as head coach and named Coach of the Year by USA Lacrosse. In addition, Zoe Uihlein ’21 earned the Jackie Pitts award, which recognizes a senior player in each USA Lacrosse area who goes above and beyond in service to her team, school, and community. She was the only senior in the state of Wisconsin to receive the award.

Lacrosse All-Americans Congratulations to the below athletes from USM’s boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams, who were named USA Lacrosse All-Americans: Kyler Ringgold ’21 Brooke Robinson ’22 Grace Tuttle ’22

locker room

A

USM Athletes Compete at State Championships Sami Stommel ’22

A

An exciting 1–0 overtime victory in the semifinals led to the girls’ hockey team competing against the Chippewa Falls/Menomonie team in the state championship in February. This time, however, the number-four ranked USM girls’ team fell to the number-three-ranked Sabers 3–2 in another overtime match. The Wildcats finished the season 12-6 and 7-3 in the Midwest Classic Conference.

B

After defeating Kettle Moraine in the WIAA sectional final game, the number-one ranked USM boys’ hockey team went on to the WIAA state semifinal game, where they lost to number-four ranked Verona 5–1.

The Wildcats finished the season 27-3-0 and 6-0-0 in the Classic Eight Conference.

C

D

The Wildcats varsity boys skiing team placed 10th in the Wisconsin State High School Ski and Snowboard Championships on Sunday, Feb. 14 at Mt. La Crosse in La Crosse. Porter Westveer ’21 placed 11th individually in the combined results among all disciplines with a score of 46. He finished in the top 20 in all three events, and placed ninth in the slalom with a time of 42.96.

Andrew Bechthold ’21 and Shaan Sharma ’22 represented USM in the WIAA Division 2 doubles individual state championship, where they lost to Brookfield Academy in the finals. Peter Ells ’21 and Joe Zimmerman ’22 also competed in the Division 2 doubles individual state championship, and Max Watchmaker ’23 competed in the Division 2 singles individual state championship.

E

The boys’ golf team competed in the WIAA Division 2 State Boys Golf Tournament and finished in fifth place, with a two-day team score of 680.

The team won the Midwest Classic Conference championships in May, and Owen Gardner ’22 was named Midwest Classic Conference Player of the Year and honorable mention All-state by the Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin.

F

Drew Stephens ’22 took third place in the 3,200-meter run at the WIAA Division 2 State Track and Field Championships, with a time of 9 minutes, 26.24 seconds, earning All-state distinction in that category.

His brother, Thomas ’22, also ran the 3,200-meter run and finished 14th.

Audrey Ferrer ’21, Brynn Fitzsimmons ’24, Emme Foster ’21, and Sydney Moore ’22 earned 10th in the 4x100-meter relay, with a time of 51.64 seconds. Ferrer and Fitzsimmons also competed in individual events.

B

Ethan Mann ’21

C

Westveer ’21

D

Bechthold ’21 (left) and Sharma ’22

E

Gardner ’22

F

Drew Stephens ’22 15 15

locker room

Zoe Uihlein ’21 Wins Prestigious Honor

By Aaron Carlson USM senior and girls’ hockey team captain was recognized for her leadership, compassion, and hard work both on and off the ice.

Zoe Uihlein ’21 was not sure if she would get an actual, physical prize when she was named the winner of the annual Jeff Sauer Award, which recognizes the community service, volunteerism, good citizenship and academic performance made by a prep hockey player, but the University School of Milwaukee senior said the reward truly does not matter. “Just kind of the honor, I guess. That’s plenty for me. That’s more than enough,” she said.

She explained that she already had something far better than a certificate, plaque, or trophy anyway. She has a great memory of time spent with the namesake of the memorial award, which is far more valuable to her.

“My dad is actually the doctor for the Paralympic sled hockey team, so I got the pleasure of meeting coach Sauer, and it was a really awesome experience. He was so kind and engaging to me,” she recalled. “When I was walking around the room, asking some of the athletes for autographs, I went up to him to ask him, and he took a paper plate and gave me a pen and asked for mine instead. That was actually such an amazing moment for me. Because of that, I got really into adaptive sports.”

Sauer made many contributions to the sport, including his tenure as the head coach of the University of Wisconsin-Madison men’s program, during which he guided the Badgers to two national championships.

However, as Uihlein explained, he accomplished much more than that. “He was just an amazing person. Not only was he a legendary college coach, he also was the coach for the Paralympics hockey team,” she said. “After he passed away, they decided to make this humanitarian award for people that also showed those humanitarian characteristics and tendencies.”

Her respect for Sauer is what made being in consideration for the award so satisfying, whether she had won or not. “It just meant a lot to be kind of recognized for certain things you do for the community, but even more so to be recognized to have the characteristics that Jeff Sauer had was just the biggest honor,” Uihlein explained. “It was a crazy feeling.

I really did not expect to win the award.”

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In order to be eligible, a player needed to be nominated by the coach of their school team. Dan Carey, head coach of the USM co-op, enthusiastically endorsed the Wildcats’ team captain. “As a former NCAA on-ice official, I had the pleasure of knowing coach Sauer and I am keenly aware of the values that he stood for,” he said. “Zoe consistently exemplifies those values, including leadership, teamwork, compassion and community, both on and off the ice.”

Uihlein has contributed more than 100 volunteer hours with the Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association for both the sled hockey and wheelchair lacrosse teams.

“Working with adaptive athletes has been such an amazing experience for me,” she said. “Seeing those athletes work and watching them progress, socially and skillfully, has really broken all my boundaries on stereotypes for disabled athletes and disabled persons in general.”

While she hung up her skates after helping USM reach the state championship game in her senior season and put away her lacrosse gear for the final time in the spring, what seems certain is that she will never stop helping people and making a difference in her community.

Aaron Carlson is sports editor of the Ozaukee County News Graphic. A longer version of this story appeared in the March 4, 2021 issue of the paper.

locker room

Thanks for the Memories Doug Coleman and Tom Geilfuss ’70 have hung up their cleats for good, retiring after many years serving the USM Athletics department. Their work behind the scenes ensured that things ran smoothly for students, parents, coaches, and school administrators, and we will miss their commitment to USM athletics.

Tom Geilfuss ’70 | 28 years After 28 years, Tom Geilfuss ’70 retired from his role as sports information coordinator and assistant coach for the girls’ hockey program in January. He started at USM in 1993 as a Middle School social studies teacher and remained in that role until 2008. After working as an assistant in the Middle School library for a year, he took on the newly created part-time position of sports information coordinator in 2009, crafting game recaps for all varsity sports for sharing on the school’s website, through email distribution groups to current families and the alumni community, and with the local media for wider coverage of USM’s athletic programs. Over the years, he also helped coach a number of other teams, including field hockey.

“For more than a decade, Tom provided an important service to our Wildcat fans in his sports information role, bringing a unique writing style to our sports coverage that will be hard to duplicate,” said Tim Williams, director of athletics. “I wish Tom the best in his retirement and thank him for his many contributions to our school.”

Doug Coleman | 24 years No matter what the weather was like, Doug Coleman always wore a turtleneck. That’s because it’s a frosty 38 degrees in the Polly and Henry Uihlein Sr. Ice Arena, where he served as the rink supervisor for the past 21 years, out of his total 24 years at USM. Coleman has always loved hockey, growing up in Minnesota and playing the sport since he was a child. In addition to supervising the rink, he served as a varsity boys’ hockey co-coach with Cal Roadhouse for 15 years, as well as various other coaching roles and teaching roles throughout the years. Under Coleman’s and Roadhouse’s coaching, the boys’ hockey team earned two WIAA state championships and nine sectional titles. “In my short time working with him, Doug has proven himself to be one of the most personable, capable, and devoted independent school educators that I have had the pleasure to work with,” said Director of Athletics Tim Williams.

In his retirement, Coleman is looking forward to traveling, spending more time with his family, and reconnecting with friends. “I loved coaching in the athletic programs, especially the boys’ hockey program, and I will miss the great players and their families,” said Coleman. “I will also miss everyone I’ve worked with, especially in the Athletics department, the ice rink, and the grounds and maintenance crews.”

Read about additional faculty and staff retirements on page 20.

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spotlight

THEATRE MAKES A TRIUMPHANT RETURN

Upper School and Middle School students were thrilled to perform once again in front of live audiences with their renditions of “Legally Blonde” and “Newsies” (inset), respectively.

Audience members were treated to highly entertaining productions, complete with dynamic sets and lighting, vibrant music, and talented, energetic actors.

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spotlight

Student Artwork Gains State and National Attention SCHOLASTIC ART AND WRITING AWARDS

MUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART

When Dalia Chairez ’24 saw how the light was hitting the wall behind her father, Julian, she knew she had to capture it. When the photo earned a Gold Key at both the state and national Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, she was surprised. “I wasn’t expecting to win at all, but I am really proud of this piece because it has this sort of moodiness to it that I really like,” she said.

Two students were chosen to represent University School of Milwaukee in an exhibit at Museum of Wisconsin Art: Madeleine Megal ’21 and Gregory Smith ’22. The exhibit was titled “Myself When I Am Real: A Teen Perspective on Identity” and included work from 12 area high schools. Students were asked to create art that addresses the theme of identity and the students’ unique takes on the relationship between art, place, and character.

In addition to Chairez, Irene Gay ’21 earned a national Gold Key in writing for her poem, “Sometimes We See Ourselves.” She also earned a national Silver Key for her flash fiction short story, “Mary, by Mary.”

Megal ’21 Chairez ’24

Smith ’22

Gay ’21

Generosity on Display

Heavy Medal Musicians

Students created unique garden sculptures, which were auctioned off in May, generating $1,540.

All proceeds benefitted Artists Working in Education, a local non-profit. Many thanks to the Visual Arts faculty Christina Dresang, Sarah Markwald, Jessica Michels, and Priscilla Woods, who spearheaded the project.

Seventeen students competed in the Wisconsin School Music Association’s State Solo and Ensemble Festival in May, earning either a gold, silver, or bronze medal. To qualify for state, students had to earn a “starred first” rating in Class A, the most difficult music, at the district level.

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in focus

Thanks for the Memories If you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life, or so the saying goes.

And with a combined tenure of 327 years, it’s safe to say this year’s group of retirees have enjoyed working at University School of Milwaukee. Their presence has been a source of stability for colleagues, students, and parents amongst life’s inevitable changes. Whether supporting new colleagues, tweaking or overhauling lesson plans, implementing technology in their curriculum, or even teaching in the midst of a global pandemic, these individuals have seen it all and led the way.

We are forever indebted to their leadership and grateful for their commitment to USM, and especially to our students. And while we are sad to see them go, we are happy that they now have more time to travel, visit family, and pursue other interests.

Holly Morse | 37 years Holly Morse has come a long way from her days as a Lower School Spanish teacher, when she didn’t have a dedicated classroom and instead taught from a portable cart.

And although it’s been 37 years since she started here, she has not forgotten those early days. “Every time I see Lauro [Robles, custodial supervisor], he reminds me about the cart I used to push around,” said Morse. “I love that he still remembers it!”

Over her remarkable career, Morse held many different roles at USM and achieved numerous accolades, including being selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholars Distinguished Teacher in 2021. But she would tell you that her greatest accomplishment has been her 37-year tenure at USM. More than any award, it is the greatest indicator of her passion for teaching, her love for her students, and her commitment to USM. “There really is no place that I have ever-known like USM,” she said. “This is a special place full of incredibly talented people who are passionate about the students. The best way I know to express my gratitude is, ¡Mil gracias, mi querido USM! (A thousand thanks, my beloved USM!)” Morse is looking forward to reading for pleasure, traveling, and visiting her children and grandchildren in Pennsylvania, Colorado, and California. “USM has been a lifeline for me and I will miss it terribly, but I want to go out while I am still healthy and having fun!”

In celebration of her retirement, Morse and her family established the Señora Morse “El Puente” Scholarship Fund, which will provide tuition assistance to qualifying students committed to building bridges between USM and Milwaukee through service. If you wish to honor Morse with a contribution, please contact Maria Stone in the Advancement office at mstone@usmk12.org or 414.540.3331.

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in focus

Jane Keily | 35 years As a Preschool and Lower School physical education teacher, Jane Keily was gifted at channeling the limitless energy of USM’s youngest learners into fun, dynamic, and challenging physical activities. Keily earned numerous awards and accolades, including the Wright Family Distinguished Faculty Award and the Wright Technology and Innovation Award.

She held many roles at the school, including Physical Education department chair, Middle School director of athletics, Middle School field hockey coach, and Jump Rope for Heart coordinator, in which she helped USM students collectively raise over $70,000. “Throughout my career I have enjoyed the ability to create and deliver curriculum that was fun and engaging for my students,” she said, “as well as the opportunities to grow professionally—which made this a career and not just a job.” Keily is excited to travel, volunteer, declutter her house, and, of course, exercise! Hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and skiing are at the top of her list.

Paul Salerno | 34 years Small children can have big emotions, and nobody knows that better than Paul Salerno.

He retired in June from his role as Lower School counselor, although he worked with children in all three divisions during his 34 years at USM. He is a familiar presence in Lower School classrooms, teaching children how to manage their emotions, handle upsets, build empathy, and find joy in life. He was well-known for teaching juggling to students as a way to improve concentration. Salerno is a licensed clinical social worker and plans to continue his work in private practice. He is looking forward to spending more time with his wife and family, learning Italian, exploring his family ancestry, and traveling. “I will miss all the wonderful students, parents, faculty, administrators, and staff that I have had the joy of getting to know and journey with over these past 34 years,” he said.

Luis Morales | 33 years & Virginia Kneuppel | 8 years Although they often operated behind the scenes as part of USM’s custodial team, Luis’ and Virginia’s work consistently took center stage at the school. Countless swept floors, emptied trash containers, wiped counters, and streak-free mirrors were the result of their hard work and eye for detail. “Luis is a man of few words, but I got to know him well in the 28 of his 33 years that I worked with him,” said Lauro Robles, custodial supervisor. “He never said ‘no’ to anything I asked of him, including early mornings, late nights, and difficult jobs—it was always yes.

His work ethic was unmatched.” Virginia, meanwhile, was known and admired for her ability to teach and train new employees, helping to cover shifts for absent team members, and for being direct. “Virginia was detail-oriented and never missed a chance to make the areas she was responsible for better than she found them,” said Robles. Morales and Kneuppel retired this past December, and relocated together to Mexico.

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in focus

Francine Eppelsheimer | 31 years “I always thought I had the best job in the world,” said Francine Eppelsheimer, Middle School librarian. And after 31 years in the role, she learned the ins and outs of USM, and especially the Middle School, better than most. She served as the Library department chair and 8th grade coordinator for many years, as well as a Washington, D.C. trip coordinator, and mentor for new teachers. She held the Wright Family Distinguished Faculty Award in 2012 and 2013, and the Wright Technology and Innovation Award in 2011. But her favorite part about working at USM? “The ability to be innovative in my job and to try new things,” she said. “The Middle School administration has always been supportive of creating new methods to build a better program.” She’s excited to explore the U.S. and world as soon as it is safe to do so, and to visit with family and friends.

Sue Jeffers | 28 years Sue Jeffers’ passion for teaching once took her thousands of miles to a small town in northern Italy, to learn from the world’s experts in the Reggio Emilia preschool educational philosophy. The lessons she and her USM colleagues brought back have been transformational for USM students, and include guiding lessons based on student interests, understanding that children have many ways of learning, and using the environment as a teacher. “Going to Italy with my Preschool teammates in 2014 was the highlight of my career at USM,” she said.

“We’ve studied the Reggio Emilia teaching philosophy for so long; it was a dream come true to see these world-renowned preschools in person.” And while she will miss her work with young children, she’s excited to spend more time with her family. “After so many years of teaching, I think it will be fun to learn something new, like painting or maybe starting that children’s book I always said I would write.”

Barb Koerner | 27 years After a remarkable 27 years at USM, Barb Koerner has stepped down from her role as office manager in the Enrollment Management office. Koerner, who was often the first school representative that new families spoke with, will be remembered for her friendly and welcoming demeanor. She will be missed by many people at USM, but perhaps most by our youngest friends in the school’s daycare. They never missed the chance to visit her while out on their daily walk, and she never missed the chance to give them a few Goldfish crackers or even an Oreo cookie. Koerner is looking forward to spending more time with her family, but will miss the camaraderie of her colleagues in the administrative wing. “I will miss the kids, especially the little ones,” she said. “I will also miss this beautiful campus and all of the wonderful people who make this community great.”

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in focus

Janell Schmidt | 18 years As the school’s director of finance, Janell Schmidt saw USM through significant growth, facility enhancements, expansion of the faculty, staff, and student bodies, and investment in the endowment and annual fund—while weathering both a global recession and a global pandemic. Thanks to her leadership, the school continues to operate debt-free, one of only a handful of independent schools in the country to do so. As a result, USM’s tuition levels have remained conservative compared to its peer institutions. “Janell shepherded the school through many budgets, and each one was formed with care and an incredible knowledge of the school,” said Head of School Steve Hancock. “She left USM in a stronger and better place.” Schmidt and her husband, Al, are relocating to North Carolina, where they are excited to be closer to their grandchildren and far away from Wisconsin winters.

Bonnie Seidel | 18 years During her 18 years at USM, Bonnie Seidel developed a unique insight for capturing and holding the attention of 3rd grade students. From outdoor explorations of USM’s campus and field trips throughout Wisconsin, to implementing new technology, Seidel made countless memories for her students. She earned the Wright Technology and Innovation Award in 2002 and the Wright Family Distinguished Faculty Award in 2012 and 2013.

Some of her favorite things about working at USM include the beautiful campus, her dedicated colleagues, and the Parents’ Association. “The PA treats teachers at USM with a high level of respect and professionalism. Their endless support and generosity touch each student and teacher.” She is looking forward to spending more time with her mom, traveling to see family, and taking long bike rides.

Perry Robinson | 6 years Although his tenure at USM was not at long as others in this group, the USM community benefitted greatly from Robinson’s distinguished 35-year career in college admissions, both at Ripon College and Denison University, prior to his arrival at USM in 2015. His extensive knowledge, principled philosophy, and student-centered approach guided students, parents, and colleagues through difficult decisions and sometimes fraught emotions.

“It’s been a privilege to be part of the best secondary school in the state,” he said. “I have worked with highly competent people in their respective fields—especially my colleagues in College Guidance.”

He will miss the USM community the most—students, staff, faculty, parents, and alumni. Robinson will be exploring many ideas in retirement, including learning to play acoustic guitar, volunteering, gardening, and, thankfully for us, staying connected to the USM community.

After 33 years at USM, 1st grade teacher Jill Oemichen announced her retirement in June. Her legacy will be celebrated in our Fall/Winter 2021–22 issue. In addition, Doug Coleman and Tom Geilfuss ’70 have retired from their work with our Athletics department. Read more about their contributions to USM on page 17.

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beyond usm

Class Notes

LANE MACDONALD ’84

’60s MARCIA (SLATER) JOHNSTON MUS’60

is a founding member and the convener of Make Room @ The Table, which is an affinity group comprised of people engaged in the field of aging and based in Chicago. Founded in July 2020, Make Room @ The Table’s mission is to develop innovative strategies to alleviate social isolation and loneliness among older people. Johnston is a Chicago journalist and advisor to the Harry G. and Charlotte H. Slater Family Fund of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

’70s ANTHONY LOCKLY ’78

was featured in the “Milwaukee Business Journal” and named a person of innovation by the publication. In April 2019, Lockly launched a software development company called Loc8 (pronounced like “locate”), which provides patent-pending technology to users to analyze digital images from any still or video camera.

’80s GARY AMES ’81

and his wife, Heidi, recently purchased a condo in Port Washington, Wisconsin. He writes: “Life in Port is quite different than condo living in Cedarburg for the last 14 years. We enjoy the views from our topside deck and feel extremely fortunate to have found such an awesome location. There is always something going on, all within walking distance. If you’re ever in town look us up, we would love to reconnect with alumni!”

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served as USM’s 2021 Commencement speaker on June 12. MacDonald has led a distinguished career in finance, but he is also well known for his exceptional athletic abilities. In 1988, he deferred his senior year at Harvard University to train for the Olympic Games in Calgary, where he co-led the hockey team with six goals in six games. While serving as captain his senior year, he led the Crimson to their first NCAA title in 1989, which still stands as Harvard’s only national championship in any major sport. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2005 and also became the 54th inductee into the Beanpot Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014.

In 2016, he was part of the inaugural class inducted to the USM Athletic Hall of Fame.

JOEL QUADRACCI ’87

was featured in “BizTimes MKE” for his company’s big idea of generating unity through employment opportunity equity.

Quadracci is the chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Quad/Graphics Inc.

beyond usm

DIPAK MAHATO ’89

was named an H&M Global Change Award Winner.

Mahato is the founder and CEO of SeaChange Technologies, a company that delivers economical and sustainable solutions for apparel manufacturing wastewater management. He was interviewed by actress Nikki Reed, in collaboration with the H&M Foundation. Learn more, and see the interview, at www.green4ema.org/ema-talks.

’90s REGGIE CHAMBERS ’94

was interviewed in “Alumni Conversations,” a series published by Harvard Law School.

Chambers is a managing director and chief administrative officer of the Consumer Bank of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Previously, he worked in big law, investment banking, private equity, at the White House, and in management consulting.

Outside of work, he teaches the development of economic policies at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. He is a 2001 graduate of Harvard Law School.

TALLEAH BRIDGES ’95

produced and co-wrote a documentary film, “My Name is Pauli Murray,” which premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 31. Murray was a pioneering attorney, activist, and dedicated memoirist who shaped landmark litigation around race and gender equity.

DR. KRISTIN SCHROEDER ’97

participated in a Zoom call with Will Piper’s ’96 World Cultural Geography class in April. Schroeder, who serves as a pediatric neuro-oncology doctor with Duke University Medical Center, spends six months of every year treating children with cancer in Tanzania, Africa. Piper’s students had been studying the African continent, and Schroeder discussed what it’s like to live and work in Tanzania.

SACHIN SHIVARAM ’99

was featured in “Insight on Manufacturing” magazine for his work as CEO of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

He was also interviewed on the “Khurram’s Quorum” podcast. With degrees from Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Cambridge, Shivaram was on track to become a lawyer. But after reading Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged,” he was inspired to change course and pursue a career in the steel industry.

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beyond usm

’00s HISONNI JOHNSON ʼ01

co-wrote and directed an independent film called “Take Out Girl,” which is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime video. In addition, Johnson was named the winner of the American Black Film Festival jury award for best director for the film, which depicts a 20-year-old who parlays her food delivery expertise into a profitable drug hustle to save her mother’s failing restaurant. “It's through my protagonist’s choices, sacrifices, and compromised ethics that I deliver a thought-provoking social commentary on how alike we are, regardless of our skin color and social upbringing,” said Johnson.

CHARLES UIHLEIN ’02

was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for his work with Teens Grow Greens Inc., which kept Milwaukee teens employed during COVID-19.

Uihlein founded the nonprofit, which develops teens through transformative experiences, and serves as its executive director.

KATIE MORSE RILEY ’03

and her husband, Tofer, welcomed their first child, Grayson Taylor Riley, on Jan. 23.

CHARLIE WRIGHT ’04

and his wife, Victoria, welcomed Elizabeth “Eliza” Henrietta Wright on Dec. 12, 2020.

CHARLIE HOUSIAUX ’02

has been named one of three CSEE Visiting Scholars for the 2021–22 school year. The program is an opportunity for independent school educators to share their knowledge with their independent school peers around the country. Housiaux is dean of students at USM, as well as an Upper School English teacher.

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CHRISTINE ESCHE ’05

was selected by U.S. Department of State for a 12-week English Language Specialist virtual project focusing on active and communicative learning with middle and high school English teachers throughout Mexico.

Esche’s project is one of approximately 200 that the English Language Specialist Program supports each year.

beyond usm

ELIZABETH SHOVERS WEINMAN ’07

and her husband, Josh, welcomed their daughter, Maya, on Feb. 25. Maya has been enjoying the beautiful scenery northern California has to offer!

’10s PATRICK LUBAR ’12

COLIN ARDERN ’08

is co-founder and CEO of Applied Bioplastics, based in Austin, Texas. The company was recently selected as the winner of the Social & Cultural category of SXSW Pitch 2021. The SXSW Pitch features 40 interactive technology companies from eight different categories, which virtually pitch and participate in a five-minute Q&A with three judges.

HENRY STIEHL ’08

launched a new restaurant, Riley’s Good Dogs, in Milwaukee. The hot dog restaurant offers a choice of traditional, premium hot dogs and sausages as well as plant-based alternatives. Learn more at www.rileysgooddogs.com.

JACK ULRICSON ’08

and his wife, Danielle, welcomed Natalie Grace Ulricson on Dec. 22, 2020.

along with his father, David, and grandfather, Sheldon, was featured in the May 24 issue of “BizTimes Milwaukee” in an article titled “The Lubar School.” The cover story explored the Lubar family’s approach to business that has spanned three generations and continues to thrive.

Reunion Weekend Recap Many thanks to all who attended our virtual Reunion Weekend in June! We enjoyed trivia, virtual tours, an open house reception, and much more. Visit www.usm.org/reunion for recordings of the events and mark your calendars for next year: June 24 and 25, 2022.

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beyond usm

Many Paths to a Career You Love In addition to world-class faculty, USM students have access to a community of USM alumni and parents who are happy to share their insights and experiences with students. Several of them recently spoke to Upper School students and young alumni about their career paths, and they also shared advice and answered questions. Held over many months, each discussion highlighted a different vocation: engineering, technology, arts, finance, medicine, and communication.

Although the careers varied widely, panelists noted that an individual’s work ethic, resiliency, and self awareness are among the biggest indicators of professional and personal success. The series was hosted by USM’s College Guidance office, Alumni office, and Internship and Shadowing program.

PARTICIPATING PANELISTS

Marcia Slater Johnston

Angela Pittman Taylor

David Routier

Tom Ulricson

Dr. Louella Amos

Dr. Ryan Khanna

Medical Field:

Technology Field:

• Dr. Louella Amos ’95, associate professor of pediatrics at Medical College of Wisconsin, Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, and Chief of Department of Medicine at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin • Dr. Ryan Khanna ’08, senior neurosurgery resident at Rush University Medical Center • Dr. Navjot (Joe) Kohli, practicing orthopedic surgeon, founder and president of [m]pirik, and parent of USM students

• Colin Boyd, vice president and chief information officer at Komatsu Mining Corp.

• Nikki Sweeney, USM’s former director of innovation and technology • Jon Shoop, USM’s Upper School math teacher, Upper School innovation teacher, and parent of a USM student

Financial Field: • Scott Lurie, owner of F Street Group, principal at Jomela Properties, and parent of USM students • Michael Sheppard, managing partner and founder, IronwoodDrive Financial Group, and parent of USM students • Tom Ulricson ’11, associate at Waud Capital Partners Arts Field: • John Scheinfeld ’71, screenwriter, director, and producer at Crewneck Productions • Lindsay Stevens ’89, founder and executive director, Rock the Green and parent of USM students • Joy Vertz, founder and owner of Shoot the Moon Photography, and parent of USM students

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Engineering Field: • Robert Juranitch, Upper School science teacher, Upper School computer science teacher, and parent of USM students • Andy Nerbun, director of engineering new product development at DRS power and control technologies and parent of current USM students • David Routier ’14, associate RF microwave design engineer at Northrop Grumman • Meredith Short ’15, technical solutions engineer at Epic Communication Field: • Marcia Slater Johnston MUS’60, award-winning freelance journalist • Angela Pittman Taylor ’96, public relations manager at Robert W. Baird & Co. • Kelly Wabiszewski ’01, brand consultant and strategic marketing specialist

beyond usm

Alumni Voices: USM’s Partnership on a Path Forward Many thanks to those individuals who participated in the Alumni Voices virtual event in May, which provided attendees updates on the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) work the school has done from June 2020 through May 2021. It emphasized the value of the alumni feedback the school has received, and its contributions toward the significant progress the school has made. To view a recording of the event, visit www.usmconnect.org.

2ND LT. JOHN OSTERMEYER ’16

The discussion included school administrators and the following alumni panelists: • Raj Bhala ’80: Moderator • Sumeeta Krishnaney ’92: Board of Trustees, USM parent • Barbie Brennan Nelson ’91: President USM Alumni Association, USM parent • Colleston Morgan ’03: Co-facilitator, Parents of Students of Color (POSOC) group, USM parent • Beny Perez-Reyes ’05: Alumni mentor

EMME WIEDERHOLD ’16

works as a user interface developer for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. In her role, she worked with a team to develop an advanced science targeting tool for the Perseverance rover, which successfully landed on Mars on Feb. 18. She also works on the Curiosity rover, which has been exploring Mars since Aug. 6, 2012. “I am fascinated by the exploration of worlds that are unfamiliar and different than what I experience in my day-to-day life,” she said. “Dreaming about alternate realities and environments spikes my creativity and motivation.”

(pictured right) accepted his commission as an officer of the United States Marines on Jan. 23. His brother, Capt. Billy Ostermeyer ’11 (left), administered the Oath of Commissioned Officers. After completing the six-month course that is required of all Marine officers at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, John will attend flight school at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. Billy, who completed his active duty service with the Army in July 2020, is a graduate student at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

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beyond usm

’20s

GIANNA AFFI ’18

SHREYA GUNDELLY ’20

was pictured in New York’s Time Square, in June, outside the Morgan Stanley global headquarters. For the second consecutive summer she is completing an internship in the firm’s global capital markets division, working as a leveraged finance summer analyst on the healthcare desk. She is also involved in the firm’s diversity efforts. Affi currently attends Duke University, pursuing a bachelor’s in political science and government.

was crowned Miss Wisconsin Teen USA 2021 on May 23, the first Indian American to earn the title.

Gundelly, a native of Mequon, Wisconsin, currently attends New York University as a pre-med student, and will compete in the Miss Teen USA 2021 pageant on Nov. 27.

NEIL DOGRA ’21

KALENA DORGAN ’18

was honored at Southern Methodist University’s Honor’s Convocation as the recipient of the Temerlin Advertising Institute Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Digital Media Strategy. “I am looking forward to all the learning opportunities this next year as I continue to learn and grow as an advertising student and public relations and strategic communication student at SMU!”

GRACE PETZOLD ’19

appeared in the February issue of “The Water Skier” magazine for her jumps on the USA Water Ski Show Team.

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USM TODAY | SPRING / SUMMER 2020–21

was selected to speak at the virtual TEDxUWM spring conference, “Our City. Our Story.” Dogra’s presentation was titled “A Selfish Kid’s Guide to Loving Community Service.” He is the student outreach coordinator for the Greater Milwaukee Youth Summit on Opioid Awareness, and participated in a virtual town hall telecast by WISN channel 12. He served on a panel alongside Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and James Wahlberg, executive director, The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, among others.

BENJAMIN LENIKMAN ’21

recently opened Ground Up MKE, a high-end sneaker and streetwear store, on Brady Street in Milwaukee.

beyond usm

In Memoriam We celebrate the lives of the following alumni and friends, whose deaths were recently shared with the school.

We are thankful for their friendship.

1940s Helen (Gettelman) Mueller MUS’40 April 23, 2021 Oshkosh, Wis. Dorothy (Irvine) Fulton MDS’43 April 20, 2017 Atlanta Elizabeth (Shea) Slugg MDS’43 Feb. 19, 2021 Mequon, Wis. Alice (Newberry) Hall MDS’45 March 14, 2021 Swampscott, Mass.

Richard E. Bayerlein MUS’46 Feb. 27, 2021 Elm Grove, Wis. Nancy (Chilson) Dice MDS’47 March 22, 2010 Cedar Rapids, Iowa Paul W. Meyer MCDS’49 Jan. 21, 2021 Milwaukee

1950s Joan (Ruenzel) Colman MUS’50 Feb. 8, 2021 Whitefish Bay, Wis. Phillip B. Mayer MCDS’51 Jan. 30, 2021 Madison, Wis.

Richard A. Bury MCDS’54 Aug. 25, 2020 Grafton, Wis. Katherine (Zentner) Paulsen MDS’54 Jan. 15, 2021 Milwaukee Ramona R. (Rechner) Tetzlaff MDS’54 Dec. 15, 2020 Elm Grove, Wis. Nancy (Knapp) Werner MDS’54 Dec. 24, 2020 The Woodlands, Texas Richard W. Kuepper MUS’55 March 13, 2021 Shawano, Wis. Pamela (Haberland) Jardine MDS’56 April 28, 2021 Princeton, N.J. Constance W. (Wegmann) Fox MDS’57 Nov. 5, 2020 Waukesha, Wis. Ann (Wigdale) Hauck MUS’57 Dec. 18, 2020 Bonita Springs, Fla. Susan (Madden) Samson MDS’57 June 2, 2020 Little Compton, R.I. Roger A. Son MCDS’58 March 9, 2021 Port Washington, Wis.

1960s Truman B. Marsh MCDS’60 Nov. 12, 2020 Venice, Fla. Richard A. Perkins MUS’61 Jan. 30, 2021 Oconomowoc, Wis.

Friends Nancy H. Balcer Dec. 6, 2020 Whitefish Bay, Wis. Mother of Marc Balcer ’92 Michael A. Bowen Jan. 19, 2021 Fox Point, Wis. Father of Rebecca Sigmon ’96, Christopher Bowen ’98, John Bowen ’07, and James Bowen ’11 Robert B. Bradley Jan. 4, 2021 Milwaukee Father of Susan Schouten ’73, Sarah Bradley ’74, and Carrie Raeder ’80 John D. Bryson March 23, 2021 Milwaukee Father of Nan Goulet ’71 and John Bryson ’77

Robert V. Wittig MCDS’58 Lake Forest, Ill.

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In Memoriam (cont.)

Earl Charlton April 12, 2021 Milwaukee Father of Nichola Charlton ’76 and Guy Charlton ’80.

Grandparent of Claire Prewitt ’11, Caitlin Prewitt ’13, and Keise Prewitt ’20 Virgil Dawson Dec. 8, 2020 Hubertus, Wis. Father of Hans Dawson ’97, Eric Dawson ’99, and Heidi Dawson ’03. Grandparent of Conner Dawson ’24, Amelia Dawson ’26, and Virgil Dawson ’29

Lee Lanier Dec. 1, 2020 Milwaukee Mother of Cassandra LanierThompson ’81 and Kathryn Lanier-Leal ’88 Stephan J. Lesure Feb. 12, 2021 Father of Ian Lesure ’31

Jacquie Groiss Jan. 10, 2021 Charlottesville, Va. Mother of Frederick Groiss ’74

W. S. Parsons Jan. 10, 2021 Cedarburg, Wis. Father of Sarah Wolf ’88

Judith Heiligenstein April 13, 2021 Tucson, Ariz.

Mother of Karen Grottke ’74 and Elizabeth Heiligenstein ’76

Ronald Perez Dec. 16, 2020 Shorewood, Wis. Father of Kennedy Perez ’20

Richard G. Jacobus Jan. 28, 2021 River Hills, Wis. Father of Barbara Wells ’75, Kathy Tranter ’78, Richard Jacobus ’80, Marcy Coker ’83, and Susanna Jacobus ’83

Updated as of June 7, 2021.

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Dr. Ashok K. V. Kumar May 13, 2021 Milwaukee Member, Board of Trustees, 1993–2000. Father of Maya Kumar ’96 and Justin Kumar ’98

USM TODAY | SPRING / SUMMER 2020–21

James A. Schwertfeger Dec. 20, 2020 Mequon, Wis. Father of Andrew Schwertfeger ’95 Susan J. Sweet Dec. 18, 2020 Whitefish Bay, Wis. Mother of Laura Donahue ’95

Alfred J. Tector Dec. 3, 2020 Milwaukee Father of A. Joseph Tector ’83, Matthew Tector ’85, Leslie Tector ’87, and Kelly Migliero ’92.

Grandfather of Kelly Schroeder ’19 and Jack Schroeder ’21 Selma “Sally” S. Williams Sept. 23, 2020 Mequon, Wis. Mother of Michael Williams ’70 and mother-in-law of Catherine Meyer Williams ’79. Grandmother of Matthew Williams ’10 and Colleen Williams ’12

beyond usm

Ann L. Gallagher ’66 passed away on June 2, 2021, leaving many friends and family members who will remember her vivacious personality, intellectual curiosity, love of reading, and willingness to listen with kindness and understanding.

She was born on July 3, 1948 in Rock Island, Illinois but spent most of her life in Milwaukee where her father was head of sales for Evinrude and Johnson Motors, a job that involved much domestic and foreign travel in which she was permitted to share.

After graduating from University School of Milwaukee in 1966, she received a B.A. in art history from Bucknell University and an M.A. in special education at Cardinal Stritch University. She worked as a teacher at the Gaenslen School for the Disabled, was a team manager of special education teachers for the Milwaukee Public Schools System, and was an instructor of special education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Ann’s legacy of leadership, philanthropy, community, and excellence endures at USM through all that she contributed during her lifetime of service as an alumna, parent, lifetime supporter, and volunteer extraordinaire.

She enhanced the educational experience of a generation of students through her roles as Trustee, Parents’ Association President, USM Fund Co-Chair, and myriad other roles. She was recognized for her contributions of time, talent, and treasure in 2005 with USM’s Alumni Service Award.

She also served on the Boards of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, the Junior League of Milwaukee, the North Shore Library, and the Children’s Service Society. She was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.

She leaves behind her husband, Richard, and their two daughters, Elizabeth (Christopher) Gallagher Petree ’99 of Chapel Hill N.C. and Catherine (Jonathan) Gallagher Brown ’02 of Chicago; as well as four wonderful grandchildren, Olivia and Henry Petree and Teddy and Hannah Brown.

Douglas C. Kramlich MCDS’55 passed away on Jan. 30, 2021 in San Francisco. Born into a food chain family in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, he completed his early education at Milwaukee Country Day School, where he was honored with MCDS’s Motto Award: “Don’t Wait to be a Great Man, Be a Great Boy.” He emulated this principle his entire life.

Graduating from Northwestern University in 1959 and Harvard Business School in 1962, Kramlich began his professional career in the Investment Department at Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. While there he observed that many credit-worthy companies, including food retailers and wholesalers, were not taking advantage of optimal forms of long-term financing. He formed Krambo Corporation in 1966 to deploy financial structures that appealed to both institutional investors and companies.

For over 40 years, Krambo’s financing transactions helped fuel the growth and success of both public and private companies.

Kramlich was devoted to his family and loved traveling around the world with them to expand their horizons.

He is survived by his wife, Raymonde whom he married on St. Patrick’s Day in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City; their children Cameron (wife Carrie), Kendra, Christopher, and Kira; his brother, Dick MCDS’53 (wife Pam); and many nieces and nephews.

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beyond usm

In Memoriam (cont.)

Fengchi Chen, who taught various science courses from 1963 to 1981, died peacefully at home on Feb. 23, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Shao-Lin, and survived by their children, Dr. Leona Chen ’74 and Albert Chen ’78. She was 94.

Any alumni who had Fengchi Chen as a science teacher during her 18-year tenure at Milwaukee Downer Seminary (MDS) and USM might remember her as being detailed, exacting, demanding, and always in a lab coat. She was even described as “terse and to the point” in a January 1977 issue of the student newspaper. She expected her students to work hard, and she held them to a high standard, which is precisely why they loved her so much.

“Her reputation as a teacher was that she was exceptionally hard,” said her daughter, Dr. Leona Chen ’74. “But she wasn't just hard for the sake of being hard, she was also incredibly supportive. If students needed help, she would stay all hours after school to help, she would even have students come to our house if needed. She wanted her students to do well, but they had to earn it.”

And if her students had any doubt, Fengchi held herself to the same high standards. Against gender stereotypes of the time, she left her home in Shanghai in 1947 and traveled to New Jersey to get an undergraduate degree in chemistry. She went on to do biochemical research at Medical College of Wisconsin (then Marquette Medical School), but she had no prior teaching experience before coming to MDS. “She was a newbie teacher, and she was nervous about it,” said Leona. But she embraced the challenge, and in 1967 she won the C.P. Vogel faculty award for excellence in teaching. “She didn’t want to be just a good teacher,” said Leona. “She wanted to be an excellent teacher.” She continued her own education by receiving graduate degrees in both chemistry and physics.

During her tenure, she taught Upper School chemistry, Upper School physics, Chemistry Physics I, and AP Chemistry, and served as the first female chair of the Science Department. She also led a cooperative venture with the Lower School by teaching a weekly science class for 3rd grade students. She served on the Examination Committee for the American Chemical Society, writing the questions for the high school Advanced Placement exams.

Fengchi served as a role model for her female students during a time when science was a male-dominated field.

Leona recalled a recent letter she received from one of her mother’s former students, which said, “Your mother was absolutely one of my favorite people in this world. She encouraged me and inspired me in her chemistry and physics classes, and helped get me a summer job as a lab assistant at the Milwaukee Medical College, which really helped me pay my way through college. I still have the pair of white leather gloves that she gave me when I graduated from USM, in 1967.” Another student wrote, “I keep thinking about her omni-present lab coat. I am determined to find one to give my granddaughters who already have a keen interest in science. I sincerely hope they have the good fortune to have a teacher as inspiring as Mrs. Chen someday.”

Many of Fengchi’s former students kept in contact after they left USM, writing to tell her how well prepared they were for their college-level science courses thanks to her teaching. She was proud that, even those who did not pursue science, learned not to be intimidated by academic challenges. “Chemistry invades all facets of life,” said Fengchi. “It teaches deductive and inductive reasoning, which is so essential in our decision-making process.

It is knowledge that an educated person cannot ignore.”

In recognition of Fengchi Chen’s educational legacy, her family established the Fengchi Wu Chen Memorial Endowed Fund. If you would like to honor her memory through the endowed fund, please contact Leah Wabiszewski at 414.540.3328.

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beyond usm

Geoffrey “Rip” Maclay Jr. ’65 passed away peacefully on March 1, 2021 and was followed shortly thereafter by his father, Geoff Maclay, who passed away on April 17, 2021. The Maclay family connection to University School of Milwaukee spans four generations and includes Geoff and Rip ’65 Maclay, Chrissie Lindemann ’68, Shelley Zucchi ’71, Tod Maclay ’77, Bevin Bonnell ’95, Kristen Wakefield ’99, and Kate ’25, Lilly ’25, and Penelope ’28 Bonnell.

Both Geoff and Rip played active roles in the USM community, and shared a love of hockey. Geoff played hockey at Dartmouth College (graduated in 1945) and was one of the original founders of the Milwaukee Winter Club.

He led the effort to install the first artificial ice rink in the Milwaukee area in 1961 and was elected to the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976.

Rip also loved hockey, playing the sport at Dartmouth (graduating in 1969) after many years playing with the Milwaukee Winter Club and at USM. In addition, both Geoff and Rip served as presidents of USM’s Board of Trustees.

Land conservation was one of Geoff’s lifelong passions, and in 1974 he founded the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation (CLCF). CLCF is one of Wisconsin’s first land trusts, with a vision to sustain the natural beauty, clean water, and biodiversity of the region for generations to come. To date, CLCF has helped to protect over 2,500 acres in the Cedar Lakes region. Rip served as a CLCF committee member. Geoff was also a founding member of Gathering Waters Inc., Wisconsin’s alliance for land trusts, and in 2006 he was awarded its Harold “Bud” Jordahl Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rip, meanwhile, excelled at diverse and eclectic passions including running, skiing, sailing, reading, motorcycling, art, and photography, just to name a few. Rip’s passion for running led him to finish over 50 marathons, including 10 consecutive Boston Marathons. Rip was a photographer and artist, and had a true appreciation and love for music as well.

Don Fischer, a member of USM’s transportation team and the father of Shelly Boreson, Athletics office manager, passed away on March 13, 2021. Don came to USM in 2013 after retiring from a long career in the Wauwatosa School District, and he continued to serve students as a bus driver on USM’s transportation team. In his more than seven years as a driver, Fischer transported hundreds of students to and from school, athletic contests, and field trips. “It was a pleasure to watch him greet his riders each day,” said Claudia Fritz, associate director of auxiliary services.

“Don never missed a chance to make each rider feel special as they hopped on board. We will miss him.”

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2011 we b s i t e

a look back 2 021 we b s i te

Like many organizations, USM has come a long way from its first website, which was launched in the late 1990s.

Even just one decade ago, in July 2011, the school’s website looked very different from the newest version. The new site, which launched in June, also brought a new web address, www.usm.org. It features a clean, inviting homepage with a modern design, along with impactful visuals, quick-hitting stories, and streamlined navigation to important information that can be viewed seamlessly between desktop and mobile devices. Improved call-to-action buttons and new back-end features also help to enhance the user experience and ensure that the school’s most important communication tool continues to serve as a valuable resource for information.

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USM TODAY | SPRING / SUMMER 2020–21

a look ahead

One of the most popular traditions at USM occurs during the 4th grade moving-up ceremony, when students share their favorite Lower School memories with friends and families. They have a lot to look forward to as they prepare to enter Middle School, but it’s nice to pause and remember how far they’ve come. From left: Kira Finucane ’29, Nathan Gibson ’29, and Tyler Hickerson ’29.

Save the Date!

Homecoming Week | Sept. 20–25 www.usm.org/homecoming

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2100 W. Fairy Chasm Road Milwaukee, WI 53217 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

This spring, the Class of 2021 gifted USM with 21 trees, which were professionally installed along the north entrance of campus. The trees represent growth, strength, and perseverance—attributes that are shared by the Class of 2021—and include weeping willows, swamp white oaks, autumn blaze maples, chestnuts, and junipers, among others. The project compliments a multi-year campus master plan, currently underway, which includes the removal of invasive plant species and the creation of outdoor habitats. Learn more at www.usm.org/restoration.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 1025