Wayland Academy Greetings - Spring 2017

SPRING 2 017

I Remember: Weird Wayland Connections

Alumni in Service

Greetings

Wayland Academy

Greetings Wayland Academy Greetings, March 2017 The Oldest Alumni Publication in America wayland.org Greetings is published for the alumni, parents, students, friends, and staff of Wayland Academy. We welcome letters concerning the content of this magazine and/or issues relating to the Academy. Letters must be signed and we ask that you include your address and daytime number for verification purposes. The editorial staff retains the right to edit at their discretion.

In This Issue

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I Remember: Weird Wayland Connections

Send correspondence to: Greetings Editor, Wayland Academy 101 North University Avenue Beaver Dam, WI 53916 Or email the Editor at: amcdonnell@wayland.org

PAGE 16

Jim Borrud H`75: Last Spring Break in Deutschland

Joseph A. Lennertz H`86 Head of School jlennertz@wayland.org

co n t r i b u to rs

Andrew McDonnell Editor Director of Communications amcdonnell@wayland.org Linda Fischer H`92 Copy Editor Faculty Emerita Kelly A. Neuert Director of Donor Relations kneuert@wayland.org

Kendall A. Vingua `02 News & Notes/In Memoriam Editor Director of Alumni Relations kvingua@wayland.org Judy L. Hill H`08 Director of Advancement jhill@wayland.org

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Alumni in Service

Stephanie Levey Advancement Associate slevey@wayland.org

Tyler Ratajczak Leadership Gift Officer tratajczak@wayland.org

PAGE 34 d e s i g n & i l l u s t r at i o n s

Ariel Esser — arielesser.com

News & Notes

cov e r p h oto

Taken on assignment in Berlin by Andrew McDonnell.

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A GREETINGS GREETING We ’d l i k e t o o p e n t h i s a n d f u t u r e i s s u e s o f t h e G r e e t i n g s w i t h a n o t e f r o m a c o m m u n i t y m e m b e r o n c a m p u s t o d ay.

We ’r e p l e a s e d t o f e a t u r e t h e w o r d s o f E n g l i s h t e a c h e r and Dye Chair of Religion

jame s c le ary

in this issue. The

f o l l o w i n g i s a n a b r i d g e d a d a p t a t i o n o f M r. C l e a r y ’s o p e n i n g C h a p e l t a l k t o s t u d e n t s f r o m t h e s t a r t o f t h i s s c h o o l y e a r.

a s yo u m i g h t k n o w ,

Wayland Academy was founded in 1855 by the

Baptist State Convention of Wisconsin, so indeed we have a heritage as a religious institution. In the early days of the Academy, students were required to attend regular Chapel services, just as you are

fellow singers to perform the National Anthem and then walk back to join their team and compete.

There are no templates at Wayland; none of you fit into nice little molds. At Wayland, you become who you want to be.

now. Because they were devout Christians, our founders believed that

This fact is both liberating and frightening, for while no one will

the virtue of faith was something worth expressing and contemplating.

tell you what you can’t do, neither will anyone tell you what you should

By the 1930s, Wayland became a non-denominational school, and

do. You are responsible for making the most of this great opportunity.

it remains so today. Yet, it was decided that faith would remain a focus

Now, if I may be so bold, I want to offer you some advice that is

of the school. And so today, it is one of our four pillars, and we still meet for weekly Chapel time.

both simple and yet immensely difficult.

Try… and when you fall short, try again and again and again. As

Like our founders, we believe, as a school, that the virtue of faith

difficult as it may be, as daunting as it may be, I challenge each of you

is something worth expressing and contemplating, not because we

to throw yourself wholeheartedly into your studies, your sports, your

are Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, or Jews, but because we

activities, and your friendships.

are human. That is why we are here: to express and contemplate the

You will have setbacks and challenges, make no mistake; you’ll

virtue of faith, and to foster its growth with our community and within

find that many of the great opportunities on this campus are necessarily

each of us as individuals.

difficult. And we all know that when things get hard, there’s that small

To be clear, this Chapel is not MY space; it is a forum open to all members of this community, and it is my earnest hope to hear from

voice in your head that tells you that you can’t, or that you shouldn’t, or whatever you’re doing isn’t that important.

as many of you as possible this year, and to hear your voice from this

That is the voice of cynicism. Cynicism is comfortable and easy; it

lectern. My role, above all things, is to ensure that this space remains

can be a relief to stop caring about something that’s hard. But when

one reserved for the honest expression of faith. But today, since I am

cynicism grows up, it becomes regret.

the one up here, I want to talk about something that I believe in.

I believe in this school, and in what it can be for students who embrace what is possible at Wayland Academy. I didn’t attend

I challenge each of you to instead listen to what Abraham Lincoln called “the better angels of your nature,” the voice within each of us that tells us to persevere.

Wayland for high school; I went to a massive public high school in

Students have studied at the Academy for 162 years; their names

Chicago, and where I went, you were a label: a jock, a smart kid, a

line the walls of this place on plaques and in trophy cases. Now, this

band geek, a drama nerd, a heart throb… (points to self) …and there

year, 2016-2017… this is your time. What will you do with it? What

wasn’t much room for variation.

will you do with the fleeting days that you have here?

That is not the case at our school. Last year, we had a state

Your place is not among the cold and timid souls; that is not who

champion track athlete in our spring play, and our salutatorian was

you are, none of you. You are a student at Wayland Academy, and you

an all-state musician and the MVP of the tennis team. As long as I’ve

belong in the arena, striving valiantly, knowing great

been here we’ve had athletes, in uniform, who walk over and join their

enthusiasm, and spending yourself to a worthy cause.

Greetings Spring 2017

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CAMPUS NEWS

Arts at Wayland

coffeehouse revived Wayland’s Thespian Society hosted a Coffeehouse in Heaton’s Union on campus in early December that showcased the varied talents of students from every grade at Wayland. The evening saw student musical performances, poetry readings, sketches, stand-up comedians, and even a choreographed yo-yo display. Notable performances included a stand-up comedy performance by sophomore Sy LaRoda that left the audience in hysterics and a reading

by Mohammad Nafisi Bahabadi `18 (pictured) of a short story he authored in creative writing class.

The evening concluded as Aaron Turnquest `18 sang “Dear Theodosia” from the musical Hamilton accompanied by Eric Kane `18 on ukulele. The event was packed, and organizers Fischer Vickers `17 and Andrew Booker `18 hope to have a second Coffeehouse in the spring semester.

way l a n d p l ay e r s o f f e r t h e i r r e g a r d s The Wayland Academy Players presented Give My Regards to Broadway, their fall musical, in Lindsay Auditorium in early November. The production, written by Shubert Fendrich with music and lyrics by the legendary George M. Cohan, told the story of a struggling Broadway producer attempting to stage a show amidst dwindling funds and the abrupt departure of his leading lady.

Wayland’s production featured a 16-student cast directed by Christopher J. BallarMientus, Chair of Fine Arts, and a spirited backstage pit directed by music teacher Amy Throndsen H`14. The production had a successful two-night run, preceded by a special preview performance for the students of St. Katharine Drexel School.

The spring play The Shop Around the Corner (Parfumerie) will be staged on April 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Lindsay Auditorium. The public is invited to attend.

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CAMPUS NEWS

t h e 52 n d f e s t i va l o f lessons and carols A campus tradition continued as students, families, and friends of Wayland Academy gathered in Kimberly Chapel on December 4, 2016, for the 52nd Festival of Lessons and Carols. To reflect the school community, the Biblical lessons were each read in a foreign language by a current student and then read in English by a second student. Lessons were read in Russian, Cherokee, German, Hungarian, Chinese, Farsi, Spanish, Korean, and Turkish.

The event, led by Dye Chair of Religion James Cleary and Fine Arts Chair Christopher J. Ballar-Mientus, featured contemplative hymns and carols performed by student and faculty musicians, accompanied on some songs by the community gathered in the warmth of the chapel on a snowy evening.

Students will be using a brand new kiln purchased with funds raised at the 2016 Spring Gala & Auction

a rt i n t h r e e d i m e n s i o n s Art teacher Justin Behm launched a new class, Art Explorations: 3D, for the spring semester, and students are now happily up to their elbows in clay during the fine arts period. This semester, students are learning the essentials of how to work with clay as they create bas reliefs, slab vessels, coil pots, pinch pots, and eventually work their way towards the potter’s wheel.

Students are also receiving an introduction to glazing techniques to finish works, and they will be using a brand new kiln that was purchased with funds raised during the Raise the Paddle initiative at the 2016 Spring Gala and Auction.

“Kids seem really interested in working with clay,” said Mr. Behm, “and I’ve been pleased with their progress.” Mr. Behm, an accomplished sculptor, works on his own art in the studio at times and enjoys the give and take as students see his work alongside their own. “I respond to their work, and they respond to mine,” he said. “It’s a form of collaborative learning, and I’ve really enjoyed that.”

Greetings Spring 2017

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CAMPUS NEWS

Wayland Athletics

Angel Heredia `17, this year’s leading scorer with 14 goals and 6 assists.

b oy s s o c c e r c o n t i n u e s t o i m p r e s s The Wayland boys soccer team had another successful season, finishing with a record of 11-5.

They nearly defeated Winnebago Lutheran in the regional tournament, forcing extra time with the team that ultimately finished as runner-up in the state tournament.

This year’s team was led by seniors Angel Heredia (14 goals, 6 assists) and Marco Silva (15 goals, 2 assists) as well as able goal keeping from senior Kaan Unal. Over the past two seasons, Coach Jonathon Shoop and his squad have finished a cumulative 22-10-1.

s w i m m e r s s h at t e r school record At a home meet in Sol Wolfe Pool on December 9, 2016, Wayland’s young 200 Free Relay team of Tia Thomas `20, Hailey Johnson `20, Jackie Gorman `19, and Simar Garcha `19 set a new school record. They finished the 200 in 1 minute, 57.79 seconds, eclipsing the previous record of 1:58.01 set in 2011 by Samantha Lindquist `12, Meghan Turner `12, Valerie Pryme `13, and Eva Grosz `14.

At that same December meet, the boys 200 Free Relay missed the school mark by only half a second. The team of Chris Neil `19, Nick Rahming `17, David Kesselmann `19, and Easton Meier `18 hopes to capture their own record over the course of the season, which continued as the Greetings went to press.

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CAMPUS NEWS

Campus Upgrades

bright ideas b ro u g h t to l i f e

Faculty & Staff Director of Athletics and Student Activities Phil Tallman has been recognized as a Certified Athletic Administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. To earn this distinction, Mr. Tallman demonstrated the highest level of knowledge and expertise after a thorough evaluation of his educational background, experience, and professional contributions, as well as a rigorous, comprehensive written examination.

Spanish teacher Amanda Damon (above) has been named a PBS Local Digital Innovator for her use of technology in the classroom. In addition, Ms. Damon will be featured as an actor in a forthcoming Spanish language instructional video in the popular Señor Wooly series. She spent three evenings filming the series in Carlyle, Illinois.

Dr. Keely Lake H`12, Wayland’s Latin teacher and Coordinator of Interdisciplinary Programs, was reelected to the Joint National Committee for Languages – National Council for Language and International Studies. Dr. Lake also attended the Annual Meeting of the Society for Classical Studies in Toronto in early January.

Music teacher Amy Throndsen H`14 attended the national conference of the National Association for Music Education in Dallas, Texas in November. The sessions she attended were mostly focused on applying the National Music Standards to Jazz Band and Concert Band at Wayland.

Greetings Spring 2017

New doors for the North entry to Discovery Hall and the Observatory were made possible through the generosity of Tyri Schiek Centanni `71. Thanks to a gift from Linda and David Larson `71, a new glass enclosure will bridge the gap that has kept the Observatory entrance separate from the rest of Discovery Hall since the building was constructed in the 1960s. The hallway created by these additions will connect the STEAM Lab with a physics classroom across the small courtyard.

In addition, over the past few months, the campus Sodexo maintenance staff has been working to transition the school’s fluorescent lighting to low-energy LED lighting. Director of Facilities Rob Jens said the school purchased 500 new LED bulbs thanks to a rebate offered through Focus on Energy, a program funded by Wisconsin utilities, that brought down the price of LED bulbs significantly. Jens estimated that this transition will pay for itself in one year, and then save the school $3,694 per year moving forward.

While the LED bulbs cost more than traditional fluorescent bulbs, they use only 1/3 of the energy and last five times as long (they will burn for around 50,000 hours according to Jens). In addition to continuing Wayland’s efforts to become more environmentally sustainable, it will save the school significant money in the years ahead.

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CAMPUS NEWS

The Lively Art of Teaching Freshmen

T

eam teaching, while always an appealing idea in the abstract, can be a difficult trick to pull off in practice. Teachers have their own styles and personalities, and they are often accustomed to a significant degree of autonomy in their classroom.

Occasionally, though, a great pairing comes along that allows team teaching to succeed in ways a singular teacher would have difficulty replicating. Over the past year, Wayland freshmen have benefited from the dynamic duo of English teacher Elise Krause `04 and history teacher Anna Stern in their humanities seminar.

The new seminar combines two classes for freshmen that have been traditionally siloed at Wayland, World Literature and Composition in the English Department and World Civilizations in the History Department. The pairing of these two subjects allows students the opportunity to integrate the literature they’re reading with historical context and offers them a uniquely unified focus on writing across both subjects.

In addition to designing and co-teaching their humanities seminar, Ms. Krause and Ms. Stern are classmates in a graduate program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Educational Psychology. They are in the final semester of the program and have been able to put their classwork at UW to work in the classroom even as they take their classes.

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CAMPUS NEWS

“We have all the freshmen in the same room at the same time, so it’s almost like an orientation activity. Everyone goes through it together.

All of them will have this shared experience of being in humanities together.”

“The whole humanities class is the product of a project we came up with in a grad school class called School Change,” said Ms. Krause.

In turn, their work constructing the new humanities curriculum has provided them with fodder for their work in graduate school.

Ms. Krause’s graduate capstone will examine how project-based learning enhances student engagement, and Ms. Stern is writing about whether or not an integrated curriculum can impact or promote critical thinking skills.

Both teachers have found that combining the freshman class and the two subject areas into one course has been successful. Ms. Krause noted, “I think there are both academic and social gains that our students have made. Academically, I think their intellectual development is further along than it would have been at this time with separate curricula, because they’re constantly forced to toggle between the different expectations of two disciplines and synthesize them into a meaningful understanding of whatever unit we are on.”

Those improvements were expected, but the gains that have surprised both teachers have been social. “We have all the freshmen in the same room at the same time,” said Ms. Stern, “so it’s almost like an orientation activity. Everyone goes through it together. All of them will have this shared experience of being in humanities together.” The teachers use a number generator to randomize students’ assigned seats, so students will sit by each of their classmates at some point in the year. “They’ve talked to everybody multiple times,” said Ms. Stern, “and the nicknames we’ve created for them are the ones they use for themselves. Socially there’s a lot of bonding that happens.”

They also noted that students who are English Language Learners (ELL) are benefiting from the combined curriculum and the interactions they have with their peers in the classroom. In addition to Ms. Krause and Ms. Stern, ELL students benefit from additional work with English teacher Jeff Thompson who does significant work preparing the class and provides ELL students individual help in both English and history.

Greetings Spring 2017

Krause and Stern are unabashed about their affection for this particular freshman class and feel they have been fortunate to transition into the unified humanities class with this group of students as they help shape the class. “The class is dynamic,” said Ms. Krause. “It isn’t a static entity that we’ve created with a fixed curriculum, so we’ve been soliciting feedback from students, and we’ve been tweaking the course as we go. I think the course has been more successful as we get feedback and use it. We’ve made some pretty important changes based on that.”

Ms. Stern added that she feels students are benefitting from seeing their teachers continue their own education in graduate school.

“One of the implicit goals of a Wayland education is for our students to become lifelong learners,” she said. “I think a lot of them think you go to college and then learning stops, when that’s not a reality and it’s not what we want their realities to be. It’s good for them to recognize that we talk about grad school, and we talk about papers and our study habits.”

For an example of how the blended humanities course is succeeding, the teachers pointed to a recent unit where students read The Odyssey while learning about the Classical Greece period. For a creative assignment, one student wrote a conversation between Alexander the Great and Odysseus that the teachers enjoyed so much they asked the student to turn it into a cartoon.

Ms. Stern said, “We talk about xenia and agathos and arête when we’re reading literature, and students are able to translate that to how those concepts actually play out in Ancient Greek culture.” In reply, Ms. Krause said, “One student today asked a question when we were talking about the Greek polis and the acropolis: ‘Where would Odysseus have lived, relative to where the Acropolis is?’”

“They’re asking harder questions is what this has become,” acknowledged Ms. Stern. “And they should be asking questions we don’t have answers to.”

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CAMPUS NEWS

Beyond Campus The earliest months of the year are the busiest for students participating in a variety of academic competitions and opportunities off-campus. Junior Classical League, Model United Nations, Robotics Club, and Forensics all took opportunities to traverse the bounds of 101 North University Avenue and

model un

learn beyond the hallowed classrooms of Wayland.

Taking off a few days of school to participate in the Model United Nations of the University of Chicago in downtown Chicago has been an annual highlight for members of Wayland’s Model UN Team. This year, 14 Wayland students traveled to the four-day event and dove into an immersive world of international diplomacy. They worked with and competed against 2,500 students from schools from across the United States.

At the conclusion of the event, coach James Cleary said, “While this isn’t the biggest or the most seasoned team I’ve worked with, they were the scrappiest, the most joyous in the face of adversity, and without question, the loudest.”

j u n i o r c l a s s i c a l l e a g u e ( j c l) For the seventh consecutive year, the Wayland JCL team captured first place at the state convention in Madison. There were many great performances on the team, coached by Dr. Keely Lake H`12, with students snagging first place in categories as diverse as Greek Derivatives and Vocabulary, Roman Private Life, and Memorized Oratory.

ro b ot i c s Wayland’s Robotics Team (the “Big Red Machine”) entered its third year of competition with a young team and competed at the First Tech Challenge (FTC) qualifying tournament at Hortonville High School. The team faced significant adversity as they burned through two power modules and ran into problems with their coding.

Coach Jonathon Shoop said the team learned invaluable lessons about gracious professionalism at the event, as teams from other schools pitched in, not just with a spare power distribution module, but also tremendous assistance with the Big Red’s coding. “Not only were the hosts kind and super helpful,” said Mr. Shoop, “but the pit area was filled with teams working hard for themselves and to help others... especially helping us: TEAM #8384.”

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CAMPUS NEWS

forensics The mighty fighting Wayland Forensics team is in the midst of another successful Forensics season in the second year of its revival. Coached by Dean of Students Linda Tyranski and English teacher and College Counselor Elise Krause `04, the team captured this spring’s Trailways Conference title.

Top Wayland finishers in the 2017 Trailways Conference Championship: ext emp o r a neo u s s pea k i ng

1st place: Mohammad Nafisi Bahabadi `18 2nd place: Valentina Buccoliero `17 fa r r ag o

1st place: Rachel Fister `17 2nd place: Esther Zigira `18 mo m ents i n h i sto ry

1st place: Kerry Zhu `17 o r ato ry

1st place: David Kesselmann `18 p l ay ac t i ng 2nd place: Ellie Tyranski `18 and Katie Tyranski `20 p o et ry 1st place: Sydney Walker `18 p ro s e

1st place: Olivia Putnam `18 r a di o s pea k i ng 2nd place: Robert Stenzel `20 s o lo h u m o ro u s ac t i ng

1st place: Andrew Booker `18 s pec i a l o cc a s i o n s pea k i ng 1st place: Sarah Mohammed `17 2nd place: Hannah Davis `19 sto ry t el l i ng

1st place (tie): Ladin Akcacioglu `19 1st place (tie): Crystal Sun `19

Greetings Spring 2017

Commencement Honors Announced On Sunday, May 21, 2017, Wayland Academy will bid a fond farewell to the Class of 2017 in Lindsay Auditorium. In preparation for this event, the Academy is pleased to announce some of the highest honors to be delivered on that weekend. This year’s Valedictorian is Valentina Buccoliero of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Co-Salutatorians for the Class of 2017 are Tianyi Zhu of Jinan, China, and Paul Derr of Beaver Dam. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian honors are awarded by the faculty to the seniors who best fulfill Wayland’s motto of “Knowledge and Character.” In addition to high academic achievement, these students have demonstrated strong commitment to the school’s ideals.

Wayland’s Junior Marshals are four students in the Class of 2018 elected to lead the school’s faculty and seniors to Commencement. They are selected by the same high standards used to evaluate the senior class. The Junior Marshals for this year’s class are Eric Kane, Zoe Kane, Milena Pak, and Esther Zigira.

In addition, the Academy is pleased to welcome back an outstanding educator, Dr. Heidi Eisenreich `97, as this year’s Commencement Speaker. In addition to graduating from Wayland, Dr. Eisenreich served as a mathematics teacher at the Academy for eight years and Assistant Dean of Students for two years.

She recently completed her PhD in mathematics at the University of Central Florida and currently is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education at Georgia Southern University.

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I Rem em b er

weird

WAY LAND connections

For such a small school, former Wayland students are everywhere you look, sometimes in places where you least expect to encounter them. In the last issue of the Greetings, we asked to hear about your favorite unexpected Wayland connections.

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T H A N K S T O Skip Cody’s (middle, former Trustee and Class of 1958)

generosity and the Wayland auction, Linda and I visited Camp Cody in Montana, a beautiful spot on the Yellowstone River.

Here is the small world story. We chose to use Anglers West Fly Shop in Emigrant, Montana, for guides and gear. The owner of the shop is Matson Rogers `87 (bottom). His folks live in Green Lake, Wisconsin. In fact, I fished for a week from his fly shop in the Paradise Valley. Matson does live in God’s country!

David Larson `71 Trustee

I T WA S 20 0 1 , in the fall, right after 9/11. My partner, Becky, and I were vacationing at some kind of a dude ranch in Colorado. We were nearly the only guests at this large ranch because the airports all over the country had just re-opened a day before our arrival.

We were sitting in the large empty dining room, overlooking the ranch and the mountains. For some reason (divine intervention?), I got talking about Wayland. The waitress overheard me and inquired. Turns out, she was an old friend of my Wayland senior-year roommate, Felicia Linsky `79 (right). Small world!

Susan McMillan `79 Greetings Spring 2017

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The 41st Annual

Spring

Gala & Auction

Celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, 2017, by helping Wayland deepen its roots and grow for the future.

There are more ways than ever to participate

Visit bidpal.net/wayland for all

in the Academy’s premier fundraising event:

things Gala

Join us for an evening of exquisite food and exciting live auction Bid online on over 100 unique auction items or Donate directly to support the school’s mission and this year’s innovative “collaborative classroom” initiative.

Greetings Spring 2017

– buy tickets for the event, preview auction packages, register to bid online, and support Wayland’s unique landscape as it provides young people an enriching environment in which to grow.

Credit: Freepik.com

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Jim Borrud H`75

Calling It a Day After 44 Years 16

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O p p o s i t e Jim Borrud teaches German.

R i g h t­ Jim Borrud with Students in 2017.

F a r R i g h t­ Jim Borrud with Students in 1980.

t The longest-serving member of Wayland’s faculty, German teacher Jim Borrud H`75, is saying goodbye to teaching, but you wouldn’t know it to watch him charge through the streets of Berlin, students struggling to keep up with his vigorous strides. He still exhibits the Borrudian energy and vim, but Herr Borrud has stated that this will be his final year at Wayland, capping a career teaching generations of students.

As the Greetings went to press, Herr Borrud was traveling with seven students, a trip that began with four jam-packed days in Berlin touring landmarks related to World War II and Cold War era Germany. Students heard stories of life on both sides of the Berlin Wall from people who grew up in divided Berlin. They traveled to a Holocaust Memorial, museums, churches, the Planetarium, and a raucous fussball match between FC Union Berlin and the Wurzburger Kickers. Students then traveled to Elze, a small town near Hanover, where they lived with host families for two weeks and attended school with a group of German students who had visited Wayland in the fall. They will conclude their trip in Cologne before returning home.

“It never became boring or flat, or hard to get up and come to school.”

The trip has been a highlight of Mr. Borrud’s school year for the last 25 years, when he struck up a partnership with the CJD School in Elze. Before that, he traveled with students in the late 1970s and early 1980s, renting a van and driving students throughout Germany, even crossing into East Germany for a few days, an experience he described as harrowing.

His love of the German language and culture allowed teaching to remain joyful. “It never became boring or flat,” he said,“or hard to get up and come to school. I’m one of the only teachers here who kids have to put up with for four straight years. I’ve had dozens of kids who’ve had to put up with me their whole career. I tip my hat to them.”

Greetings Spring 2017

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5

4

1

3

2

j Jim Borrud’s wife, Gerda, has been a source of strength and helped him teach at

Wayland’s plans for German, according to Academic Dean Craig

Wayland as long he has. The Borruds have made it work for over four decades by

Hill H`06, are to continue the program, and hopefully the trip to

valuing their time together, especially in the summers. Both of their sons are Wayland

Germany with Mr. Borrud’s successor. Herr Borrud’s plans for the

graduates, Kristian `99 and Gabriel `02.

future include travel. This summer, he will vacation with his wife

In addition to serving in the classroom and the dorms, Herr Borrud coached golf for decades. “One of the most cherished moments of my Wayland career,” he said, “is in 1999 when Wayland won the state championship in golf, and my son Gabriel

Gerda in the south of France and then head north to Cologne, where his son, Gabriel, lives with his girlfriend and the Borruds’ lovely granddaughters.

was on the team. That was my finest hour when we defeated all the private schools in the state of Wisconsin.”

1 Mr. Borrud with Wayland students, their hosts, and CJD teacher Alex Heinze 2 Students on the Elze Rathaus steps with their hosts and the Mayor of Elze, Rolf Pfeiffer.

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3 Visiting the Brandenburg Gate.

4 Standing with a piece of the Berlin Wall.

5 Mr. Borrud back in the classroom at Wayland.

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Trustee John B. McKinstry H`10 w. Tia Thomas `20 and Jon Shoop

Judy Hill H`08 and Trustee Mike Vanharen `82

S E RV I C E TO T H E AC A D E M Y

John McConnell `82 and Joe Green `82

Wayland Academy’s Board of Trustees At the top of Wayland Academy’s Organizational Chart is the group of alumni and honorary alumni who form our Board of Trustees. They are charged with the responsibility of seeing that the Academy functions

in

accordance

with

its

established

philosophy and within the framework of its charter and bylaws.

They meet four times annually but work throughout

Joe Lennertz H`86

the year between meetings, to plan, prepare, and follow-up on a variety of ongoing efforts and to ensure a thriving present and a strong future for Wayland. The Academy is truly grateful for the dedication of the Board Members pictured here and for their service to the Academy.

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Will Luedke `70 and Burnie Sullivan `69

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Trish Martin `96

Dave Larson `71

Pete Patterson H`12 and John McConnell `82

Shelley Greenwood `73 and Betsy Parker `72

Betsy Wallman `71

Rosina Samadani `85 and Terrence Wilson `02

R. Scott Jones `63, Trustee Emeritus

Dick Kimberly `54

Jim Downing `94

Greetings Spring 2017

Jim Janik `74, Rosina Samadani `85, Jordan Esten `02

Trustee Peter Sensenbrenner `71 w. George Cobb H`80

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ALUMNI IN SERVICE

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VANESSA SCHMIDT `03

ALUMNI PROFILE

SERVICE TO SEATTLE Vanessa Schmidt `03 is a Case Manager with LEAD, a program developed in Seattle and King County, Washington, to divert lowlevel drug and prostitution offenders into community-based treatment and support services instead of processing them through traditional criminal justice system avenues.

Greetings: What is your role, specifically as a case manager with LEAD? Vanessa Schmidt: LEAD stands for Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion. All of our clients are referred by city and county law enforcement.

They come to us either as an arrest diversion or as a social referral, meaning the client has a relationship with law enforcement, who can refer them to our program without the point of intervention being an arrest. One of the main tenets of the LEAD program is collaboration between service providers (case managers like myself), lawyers, prosecutors, and law enforcement. This means that my role is to connect our clients to services and resources they may not have had before, such as housing, mental health or substance use treatment, medical or dental appointments, food, clothing, public benefits, etc. It also means supporting clients through their legal obligations, which on our part entails communicating with prosecutors and defense attorneys.

That’s personally my favorite part of the job.

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G: What does a typical week look like for you?

VS: Every week is different and it’s nearly impossible to know how the day will pan out. Some weeks entail helping a client work through a crisis, going to the department of licensing or social security with a client to replace their ID cards, attending court or visiting a client in jail to talk about their upcoming court date, or just to say hello. Some weeks we help clients move into housing, other weeks we help them move out. Some weeks we take clients shopping for basic needs, other weeks we help them pay for school or assist with a resume. Everything we do is client driven, and our core value is to meet the client where they are and work alongside them.

G: LEAD, on its website, is identified as a pilot project, which generally means it’s new and its viability is being assessed, but it looks like it’s been running for five years or more. What sorts of results are you seeing?

VS: You’re absolutely right. It has completed its pilot trial period, but the results of the program were so promising that the city and county decided to allot funding to keep it going. One of the coolest aspects of the LEAD program is that it is made of community members, case managers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, and members of local “The results of the government. Since we all have a stake [pilot] program were so in the program, it isn’t as susceptible promising that the city to political and economic changes and and county decided to we all have such unique perspectives allot funding to keep on the ways this program benefits the community and can therefore it going.” advocate to keep the program alive.

Clearly, the old method of arresting and re-arresting people for the same crimes wasn’t working. The LEAD program offers an alternative that has proven to decrease recidivism as well as low-level crimes.

G: What do you find most satisfying about this work?

VS: The most satisfying part of my job is having the opportunity to see the resourcefulness and brilliance of our clients. It’s a huge honor and privilege to work with such resilient human beings and be allowed into their life and hear their stories. The other part of my job that I enjoy is working between systems and giving voice to people who are most marginalized.

Advocating for clients in meetings or in court is one of the ways I know I can support them and give back to what they offer me every day.

wayland.org

ALICIA KELLY `99

ALUMNI PROFILE

SERVICE TO DEVELOPING NATIONS Alicia Kelly `99, draws inspiration from many areas of her life, but the foundation for which she is the CEO and founder is named for her grandmother, Bessie Kates. When Kelly was a student at Wayland, she spoke with her grandmother on the phone every day. Bessie Kates left Mississippi for Chicago during The Great Migration and built a career as a teacher. “She was strong,” recalled Kelly, “A great wife and mother.” Kates passed away two weeks before Kelly graduated from Wayland, but her name lives on in the Bessie Kates Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing supplies to health care providers in developing nations.

responsible for getting the partnerships, building awareness, raising funds.”

Currently, the foundation works solely in Jamaica, but Kelly hopes to expand its efforts to other islands in the West Indies and someday to Nigeria. In addition to providing medical supplies, Kelly’s foundation has been able to connect an American medical school to Black River Hospital in Jamaica.

Students from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, travel to Jamaica for one of their rotations.

In August of each year, Kelly takes a mission trip, usually bringing a group of volunteers with her. Her mother, a pediatrician/nephrologist, regularly accompanies her and sees patients, along with a respiratory therapist, other pediatricians, a nurse practitioner, and other volunteers. “It’s not solely medical, though,” said Kelly. “For me, I’m into healthcare administration and systems, but for my mission trips, if you want to come organize a closet, I have anything for anyone to do.”

Kelly said that throughout her work with the foundation, she has enjoyed building relationships and seeing the immediate impact of her work.

“The most fulfilling thing has been meeting people, growing, and learning from my mistakes,” she said. “It may sound cliché, but I’ve learned a lot. It can be overwhelming. You see so much and you do so much, but the reality is you can’t do everything.”

After graduating from Wayland, Kelly studied political science at Dillard University and went on to receive her Master of Jurisprudence in Health Law from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. On a visit to Nigeria, she had her first encounter with health care abroad. Kelly visited a hospital there and recalled walking past antiquated equipment in the hallways. Her idea for the foundation later solidified while conducting research at Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She realized that one of the “You see so much major obstacles in providing health and you do so care was a lack of supplies, and she hoped to start an organization to help much, but the providers overcome that hurdle. reality is you can’t Today, as CEO of the Bessie do everything.”

Kates Foundation, she said, “I’m

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ALUMNI PROFILE

When Michael Schwemmer `09 graduated from Wayland to attend Syracuse University he wanted to be a philosophy major. As he took classes in political philosophy, though, and developed what he neatly terms “a strong lens of social justice,” he went to his professors and asked them what was the best thing he could study to bring the ideas and ideals he was learning about to fruition in the real world. “They told me to study economics,” he said. “Economics is the bridge between philosophy and statistics.”

So he added a major in economics and a minor in mathematics.

“I learned to do some coding, some programming,” he said, “and I learned the formal mathematics of data relationships. That’s what I’ve been basing my career around since.”

Today, he is employed by Philadelphia Mental Health Care Corporation, a behavioral healthcare partner to the City of Philadelphia, as a data and information analyst. When asked to explain his work in laymen’s terms, Schwemmer said, “I build and optimize databases for people going through the criminal justice system and receiving mental health treatment.”

When asked to picture an even more “lay” layman to explain his work to, Schwemmer expounded by saying, “I support the people who do the faceto-face work. I build the electronic box into which they put the information so that different organizations around Philadelphia can communicate better with each other to help people.”

The databases that he constructs allow various mental health

Greetings Spring 2017

MICHAEL SCHWEMMER `09

SERVICE THROUGH DATA ARCHITECTURE programs, hospitals, county jails, and the state department of corrections to work together to get people suffering from mental illness connected to the best programs for them. Sometimes that might be a diversionary court for someone with low level offenses and mental health issues or with a nonprofit that helps people stabilize with a goal of community reintegration.

As more and more government and private agencies move to electronic records, the work Schwemmer does is important to the social worker in the field. Previously, someone in the field may have had to rely on thick The data is folders stuffed with stacks of forms increasingly crucial and notes, and after gathering all of ... because funding their relevant information, they would for public services have to fax it to multiple offices. Now and non-profits is they can take a tablet into the field, increasingly tied and the information they produce is disseminated as data in a very useful to evidence-based way. practice.

That data is increasingly crucial, said Schwemmer, because funding for public services and non-profits is increasingly tied to evidence-based practice. Organizations need to be able to back up their activities with measurable success. If they don’t, then those services are inevitably taken over by someone who does.

“The key skill set I’ve developed,” said Schwemmer, “is to fluently speak the language of person-based care (of social workers and mental health, substance abuse, community-based standards for behavioral health) and pure data science (the theory concerned with storing data so it can be accessed and organized easily).”

In his current position, although he does not work directly with the people who benefit most from his labor, he understands his role through an analogy used by one of his former bosses with the City of Philadelphia.

“She used to talk about ‘seeing the whole elephant,’” he said. “If Philly is an elephant, we might be the pancreas or the mitochondria. I’m proud to support people who definitely need to have their practices facilitated. Social workers in general have the most heart, but when it comes to having the time and resources to fill out a survey in such a way that it becomes data, that’s where I help.”

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A HA PPY WAY L A N DT I NE S! Thank you for showing your love of Wayland Academy! Over the course of four days, from February 11-14, 2017, gifts poured into the Academy Fund from alumni in over 50 different graduating classes, and our students exceeded all expectations by completing more than 325 acts of kindness over the course of the event.

During the annual Phoneathon portion of the event, students reached out to more than 900 alumni. Thank you to all who took the time to chat with a current Wayland student.

For the third year in a row, the winner of this year’s Alumni Class Challenge was the Mighty Class of 1956, with 30 participants. To celebrate their school spirit, here is a small, photographic tribute.

To view the final results of the class challenge, please visit bidpal.net/waylandtines.

t h a n k yo u t o a l l w h o g av e d u r i n g t h e way l a n d t i n e s e v e n t i n s u p p o rt o f way l a n d academy’s students!

Cla s s of 1956

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Referring a student to Wayland is as easy as...

SHARE YOUR STORY Think about the fond memories you had during your time at Wayland and share them with others.

WAYLAND.ORG Refer them to our website or our Facebook or Instagram accounts to find more information about Wayland. It is also a great resource for you to keep up with Wayland!

CONTACT US If you know of a student who would benefit from a Wayland education, contact Wayland’s Admission Office today at: 920.356.2120 ext. 237 admission@wayland.org

discovering knowledge and building character. t o g e t h e r . s i n c e 1855 .

Greetings Spring 2017

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Alumni Reunion Weekend 2017 O C TO BE R 1 3 - 1 5 , 2 0 1 7 R a l l y yo u r c l as s m a t e s , b ook y ou r h otels, a n d s t a r t pl a n ni n g f or a w e e k e n d of f un a t Wa yla nd, Oc t o ber 13-15, 2017.

All classes are welcomed back to campus (so you can hang out with all your friends from other classes) and a full slate of activities and events will give you the chance to reconnect with friends you might not have seen in years! More details and an invitation will be arriving in your mailbox soon.

m i l e sto n e r e u n i o n y e a rs : 50th – Class of 1967 25th – Class of 1992 10th – Class of 2007 Five year reunions will be celebrated by Wayland classes ending in -7s and -2s!

Please contact Kendall Vingua `02, Director of Alumni Relations, for more information or to get involved in the planning! Email: alumni@wayland.org Phone: (920) 356-2120 x.224

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WAY LA N D O N TH E ROAD Since the last issue of the Greetings, alumni and friends of the Academy from around the country have met up for Wayland gatherings in Portland, Seattle, and Chicago (above). If you are interested in hosting an event in your area, please contact Director of Alumni Relations Kendall Vingua `02 at alumni@wayland.org.

Chicago

Seattle

stay t u n e d f o r a n n o u n c e m e n t s a b o u t a l u m n i g at h e r i n g s a n d m o r e at way l a n d . o r g / a l u m n i !

Portland

Greetings Spring 2017

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In Memoriam

1940s

1960s

Jacoba Vander Lugt Voss `46, was surrounded by family when she

James R. Byrket `65, passed away suddenly December 31, 2016,

died peacefully on November 28, 2016, at the University of Michigan

due to a brief battle with cancer. After Wayland, Jim attended Ripon

Hospital. Jackie was born in Waukesha, WI, where she attended

College, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and the

school before coming to Wayland Academy. She received a Bachelor

basketball and baseball teams. Jim was an owner of Danville Electric

of Arts degree from Central College in Pella, IA, where she met her

Supply from 1971 through 1984 and was also employed by Hyster Co. in

life-long partner, Burt Voss. They married in 1950, beginning a 66-year

New York City and Tepper Electric Supply in Champaign, IL. Survivors

marriage. She is survived by three sons, three daughters-in-law, seven

include his son, Ben Byrket, daughters, Bricey Machin and Blair Byrket;

grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

five grandchildren; his brother and sister-in-law; nieces and nephew; and Gordon Murphy, Jim’s closest and oldest friend.

Dode Lethen Ackermann `49, of Wheaton, IL, passed away on September 28, 2016. A devoted wife and mother, she was a thoughtful and caring woman who delighted in showering friends and family with cards, letters, and homemade fudge. Dode was a 1953 graduate of DePauw University where she met her husband, Douglass, and began a lifelong affiliation with Pi Beta Phi. As a mother, she was an enthusiastic supporter of daughters, Margaret Ice and Diane Prothro, and granddaughter Emily Ice. She was preceded in death, just three weeks prior to her passing, by her husband of 62 years, Douglass.

1980s David A. Lund `81, passed away at home on November 22, 2016, after a lifetime battle with diabetes. David was a proud graduate of Wayland. He had many interests including gardening, cooking, and cat rescuing. David’s first job was with Country Kitchen in Columbus; he then worked as a chef at Ramada Inn, followed by over 12 years with Cub Foods as Assistant Manager of the Delicatessen. David is survived

by Willard and Joyce Lund of Columbus/Madison; devoted sister, Alison; favorite aunt, Judith Anderson; and many cousins.

1950s Martha Vincent Begley `51, passed away on April 20, 2016. She was a graduate of Wayland Academy and Depauw University and is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Phelps.

2010s Tajah Williams `13, of Milwaukee, WI, died in a shooting on December 26, 2016. She was a student at Mount Mary University. In a memorial posted online by some of her former Wayland classmates,

Richard H. Freeman `59, passed away in Woodruff, WI, on November 29, 2016. After graduating from Wayland, Richard attended Beloit College. He lived and worked in the Boulder Junction, WI, area for many years and spent several summers traveling to Alaska. He is predeceased by his parents, Richard and Jean Freeman, and brother James P. Freeman `64. He is survived by his sister, Martha K. Freeman, and three nieces.

they wrote: “Tajah Monet Williams was a bright, hilarious, energetic young woman. She had a way of making people laugh until they cried, picking her friends up when they were down, and being a fiercely loyal protector of everyone she loved. Taj had high ambitions for herself and she was extremely passionate and driven. Taj called Brown Deer and Milwaukee, WI, her home, and attended Wayland Academy and graduated from Rufus King High School. Taj was happiest when she was singing and dancing with friends, and had a knack for biology and science.

She wanted to someday work in the medical field and was taking steps to achieve this dream. She also had a passion for cosmetology.”

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Employees & Friends of Wayland

Gerald Alan Dye of Wayzata, MN, died peacefully on November

Rev. Robert Wallace Towner, age 97, died peacefully on November

8, 2015, at the Minneapolis VA Hospital after an 18 month battle with

22, 2016, after a rich and fulfilling life. A retired American Baptist minister,

pancreatic cancer. Jerry, a grandson of Wayland Academy benefactors

Robert is remembered as a pastor, community leader, advocate for

Glen and Ella Dye, both of the Class of 1907, is survived by his

social justice, lover of the arts, and devoted family man. He graduated

older brother, Glen, and significant other, Kathy “Sunky” Conner, and was

from Hamilton College in 1941 and from Colgate Rochester Theological

preceded in death by his parents Harry and Gertrude Dye. Jerry was a

Seminary in 1944. He served as a naval chaplain in World War II.

life-long skier, an accomplished musician and all those who knew him were

Robert and his wife, Helen, raised three daughters and served churches

continually impressed by his graciousness, his mild personality, and his passion for music.

Former Trustee Kenneth William Royer, 88, passed away peacefully in Scottsdale, AZ, on January 30, 2017. Ken was born in Washington D.C. to Kenneth Metz and Irma Carolyn (Raver) Royer; the family settled in Mayville, WI, and founded Purity Cheese Company in 1936. As an active young man Ken excelled in the Boy Scouts of America program, earning Eagle Scout, and was very involved in church life in Mayville and remained so throughout his long life. After graduating from Mayville High School, Ken pursued a degree in Food Science at the Agriculture School at the University of Wisconsin. While there, Ken became an avid musician, playing trumpet in the UW marching band and starting a jazz band with friends that played events throughout the campus.

Upon graduation Ken returned to Mayville where he joined his father in the cheese business. He married Joanne Feller in 1954, and they remained married for fifty nine years until Joanne’s passing in December, 2013.

During his 12 years as President of Purity Cheese Company the business grew to one of the largest specialty cheese companies in the United States, leading industry innovations. Ken continued his career as the leader of

across the country before teaching religious studies and serving as chaplain at Wayland Academy from 1966 to 1969. Robert’s ministry was marked by his compassion, good humor, faith, and integrity as a pastor, and by his dynamic preaching; he is also remembered for his wonderful singing voice and was active in opera and local theater in Madison and Beaver Dam. Robert retired to Madison, where he continued his ministry, serving interim pastorates in several local churches. Following Helen’s death in 1993, Robert subsequently married Lucille Collins Hargrove of Mountain View, CA, and resided there until his death.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife, Lucille; five daughters: Susan Dean, Gretchen Lewis, Elizabeth Morrell `71, Kathryn Hargrove, and Mary Hargrove; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, his first wife, and a son, David Hargrove.

Cynthia M. Randall, died January 13, 2017, at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, OH, following a year-long battle with bladder cancer. She is survived by brother Joseph Green `82, daughter Sheffia Randall Dooley `91, and grandsons, Solomon and Gabriel Dooley.

EnzoPac, a manufacturer of dry powdered foods.

Gwendolyn Gillen, died January 27, 2017, in Madison, WI, at the age

Ken lived his life to the fullest with his family and outside interests. He

of 76. From 1982 to 1985, Gwendolyn taught Art and Drama at Wayland.

served in leadership and volunteering roles in many organizations, such as

However, she is best known for designing the bronze statue of Mary

the Rotary Club, YPO, and Wayland Academy, where he was a member

Tyler Moore in Minneapolis, which depicts Moore throwing her hat into

of the Parents Council and served as a Trustee from 1973 to 1989. Ken

the air as seen in the opening credits of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She

is survived by his sisters, Carolyn Jacobus and Jane Carter, as well as

also created the bust of Michelle Witmer, who died in combat with the

his five children: Jeffrey Royer`73; Lisa Machinis `75; Vicki

Wisconsin National Guard, plus Gertie the Duck in downtown Milwaukee,

Bachmann`76; Jodi Barnard `82; and Scott Royer `84. He is also

and a sculpture of veterans at the state’s Korean War memorial in Plover,

survived by nine much-loved grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

WI. Gwendolyn grew up in Massachusetts and studied acting at American

Dr. Gilbert Hayes Myers, 92, of Milton, WI, died August 27, 2016, due to complications from pneumonia and cancer. Gil is survived by his four children, including Gilbert Myers `67 and Jonathan Myers `69, four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; one sister, and sister-in-law; cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Georgianna in 2009.

Greetings Spring 2017

Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. She followed her husband Ronald on his Air Force assignments to places like Guam before moving to Wisconsin, where she resided until her death. Gwendolyn is survived by her daughter Alessandra Gillen `90 and her sister. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2012 and her son Christopher Gillen `86 in 2015.

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Wayland Academy

Greetings

I Remember...

The Sports Tell us about your favorite coach. Your moment in the sun. Your moment on the bench. Share your favorite memory from on the court or out on the playing fields. We’d love to hear it. Share your stories with the Greetings that have anything to do with Wayland Athletics, and we’ll try to share them in the Fall issue.

Write to: Greetings c/o Wayland Academy 101 N. University Ave. Beaver Dam, WI 53916 Or email: amcdonnell@wayland.org

101 North University Avenue Beaver Dam, WI 53916 36

Toll free: 800.860.7725 Phone: 920.356.2120 wayland.org

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