From the Alumni Board

ALUMNI BOARD MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

// MATT MALONEY ’94

As I sit at my kitchen table writing this column, I am reminded of how much has changed since I wrote a similar piece several months ago. That column listed numerous events that the Alumni Board was involved with in the fall semester, nearly all of which involved face-to-face interaction. As I wrote about the annual golf tournament, class reunions, homecoming, and mailing care packages to the Class of 2019, I would never have imagined that such personal interactions would all but disappear for much of the spring semester. Fortunately, COVID-19 had yet to cause havoc on our daily lives in mid-February, which meant that the 30th Annual Mentor Program proceeded without a hitch. Amy Johnson, Class of ’07 and Alumni Board member, kicked off the program by addressing an Upper School assembly on February 19. The following day, Sumit Shah ’00 delivered the keynote address at the annual breakfast for seniors and their mentors. Amy and Sumit both did a tremendous job, and you can read more about their speeches on page 26. Two out-of-town alumni gatherings also managed to proceed in pre-quarantine days. In January, several alumni got together in Atlanta, and a large group of New York City alumni met the following month. We love seeing our alumni from across the country (and around the world) stay connected to the school, and I encourage you to contact Lisa Schooler if you are interested in arranging an event in your city. While we were unable to meet in person for much of the spring semester, the Board did manage to make history in April with our first Zoom meeting. While it wasn’t quite the same as being in the same room as one another, it was the next best thing, and also provided plenty of smiles when we got to see a few children and dogs on our screens! The year concluded with one final meeting in June, during which I had the privilege of presenting the Randy Storms Alumni Service Award to Christina Hourani Shuart ’99. Please make sure to read the column about Christina at right. We also presented a check to Mr. Washer for $168,472.07 – a great number given the difficult circumstances of the final three months of the school year. Thank you to all alumni who donated! The meeting concluded with Mr. Washer updating the Board on the steps that the school has taken, and will continue to take, to ensure greater diversity and inclusion both inside and outside the classroom. We appreciate and value the input so many alumni have offered on racial equality and related issues, and encourage you to reach out to the Board with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. We realize that the school can, and must, be better in these areas, and I am confident that the school’s leadership will take the necessary steps to effect change. Please know that the voices of our alumni matter.

It has been an honor serving as the Alumni Board president. My fellow board members, and, of course, Lisa Schooler, made it a simple role to fill. When the Board meets again in the fall, we will be in the capable hands of Doug Coe ’04. Doug, it’s up to you to prevent a pandemic on your watch!