Table Of Content

Ârchon A Governor Dummer Academy News Magazine Published by ? *=3N5?W* 9^bs£jd9I^^Ê : ?' SjÊ^ ffar? theriî Art More than 75 alums joined Sclger Ben Stone and for the annual Glee Club Concert Alumni/ae Reunion '99. at (more on back cover...) TheArchon Publishedsince 1884 Publisher O / 1 John M.Doggettjr. l c Editor Kristen C.Grubbs Photography Elisabeth L.Campbell Dan Courter features David Oxton Graphic Design Elisabeth L.Campbell 3 Student Profile Assistant Headmaster Sarah Willeman '99 Edward C.Young 73,P'01,'02 Director ofDevelopment PatriciaTobin Peterman P'01 Associate Director ofDevelopment MichaelA.Moonves 18 The Doggett Years Begin Director ofAnnual Giving Michelle M.Kunz Trustees ofGovernor DummerAcademy Daniel M.Morgan '67,P'97'02,President 22 Commencement '99 Stephen G.Kasnet '62,P'95,Vice President Josiah H.Welch '47,P'80'83,Secretary Jeffrey L.Gordon '69,Treasurer William L.Alfond '67 Putnam R Flint '37,GP'99 26 Alums Celebrate at Clifford Gillespie J. Judith Gore P'95'97 Reunion '99 Richard M.Kelleher P'99'01 Josiah K.Lilly '68,P'91'98 Mary F.Mack P'87'91'93 Joshua L.MinerIV '69,P'96'98 Reynolds E.Moulton,Jr.'56 30 Honoring the Bragdons Brian H.Noyes '76 WilliamWF.O'Leary '73 Carrie Penner '88 Michael R.PorterP'96'99'01 Haskell Rhett '54 James L.Rudolph '68 George S.Scharfe P'95'00 C.ThomasTenney,Jr.'69 AlumniTrustees departments Kathleen Leary Livermore '79 Kara Moheban McLoy '88 Steven G.Shapiro '74 Ex Officio letters PeterT.Buder'62 President,Alumni/ac Council Alumni/ae Council on campus PeterT.Buder '62,President Catherine Burgess '91,Secretary/Treasurer Carolyn Borwick '77 R.JeffreyBailly '80 32 class notes Deana Giamette Boyages '88 James Deveney '60 John PW.English '28 Peter Franklin '72 48 in memoriam Anthony P.Fusco '85 Joshua Lappin '92 Joseph E. MacLeod '56 Howard Navins '31,P'63'66,GP'93 J. Susan FPattison '77 Robert Studley '86 Marc K.Tucker '68,P'01 on the rover Ex Officio KarenA.Schulte '83,PastPresident The Doggetts Arthur H.Veasey III '68,Past President The cover photo was taken by David Oxton, photography John S.Mercer '64,P'95,PastPresident PeterM.Shenn '59,Past President teacher at GDA, upon the Doggetts' arrival inJuly. Putnam P.Flint '37,GP'99, Co-chair,Trustee Development Committee W Carrie Penner '88, Co-chair,Trustee Development Committee TheArchon is published three times a yearby GovernorDummerAcademy,Byfield, Massachusetts 01922. Telephone: (978) 465-1763. Letters are welcome from alumni,alumnae,parents,and friends oftheAcademy and are subject to editingfor TheArchon isprinted onrecycledpaperwith aminimumof10%post-consumerwaste.Itis printedwithsustain- reasons ofspace availability. ableresourcevegetable-basedsoyinksinaccordancewidiourcommitmenttodieenvironment.Please recycleagain. letters diversity responses editor's note Your cover story on diversity was very Dear Editor: interesting, thoughtful, compassionate, and Perhaps there are those who would be Last winter's cover story on diversity has well-intentioned. It was, however, an out- interested in the reaction of another aging engendered some spirited and healthy dia- standing example of why putting the alumnus to the news, reported in a recent logue on issues of diversity at GDA and emphasis on "diversity" instead of excel- Archon and disclosed by some, that a gay- beyond. As new editor of the Archon last lence fails to meet the goals that are sought. straight alliance had been formed at the February, I was quite excited to witness the Kathy Guy defines racism as"the limiting of Academy. care and interest that many alums have been access", or as "a system calling for increased My reaction was, "Oh, thank God; oh, expressing in the school and in educational requirements for the attainment of equal thank God; oh, thank God." issues in general. status." When an institution changes the Sincerely, As we continue to cover campus news standards of admission from measurable to Chester Parasco,Jr. '65 and class notes in future issues, those of us subjective, or from character to color, it involved in the magazine here on campus changes the rules, and by its very nature, also hope to stay committed to establishing increases the requirements for admission for Dear Peter Bragdon: the Archon as a place for each of you to one or more groups. Somehow, we now I have been reading the Archon since express opinions, share ideas and news, and think this is acceptable, as long as the group my first year as a student at GDA in 1965. connect both with what's going on at the being limited, or having to meet a higher The last issue focusing on diversity was, in Academy today and with what your class- standard is white, especially white males. my opinion, one of the finest issues I have mates are thinking about in our increasingly Just as proponents and defenders of ever received. For many of us involved at busy world.As we approach the millennium, affirmative action would have us believe GDA, you will forever be remembered as a we hope that you will use the Archon as a that no one is harmed by the promotion of Headmaster who has been committed to forum for your thoughts on anything that is those who by measurable standards are less making the tolerance for and understanding going on in your lives.The Archon is a mag- qualified, Nora Lester both states and of diversity a priority within the GDA azine^bralumnae/i, and as such should func- implies that Governor Dummer would bet- community. Unfortunately, racism, hatred, tion as a place to celebrate you. But we need ter serve its purpose and its people if its and bigotry will always exist in our society. your help. Please feel free to write, e-mail or admission standards were altered. I think a However, it is truly encouraging to know call me and let me know what you're up to, better approach would be to give absolute- that someone in your position has been what you're thinking about, "what you hope ly no consideration to color, religion, or working so hard with our future leaders on your alumni/ae magazine can be. I look for- sexual orientation. Diversity achieved natu- the issues of diversity. Congratulations on ward to hearing from many ofyou. rally and honestly, through the process of your success. Kristen Grubbs, editor seeking only the most qualified students and Best wishes, [email protected] faculty, without regard to race or religion, James L. Rudolph '68 978/499-3236 has a far greater chance for allowing for true inclusion. Changing admissions and hiring practices, in order to force diversity, too often creates an illegitimate and unnatural diversity. It also creates an unfair atmosphere for the student or teacher who is at the Parents: Save the Date school not because their achievements mer- ited it, but because their inclusion achieves the aims ofothers. Not for an instant do I doubt the sin- Please join us for cerity ofKathy Guy, Nora Lester, or any of Weekend Parents' the other contributors.Their aims and their goals are noble, and worth working towards. Winter Gathering But the method that Governor Dummer takes to achieve diversity is crucial. If the at Governor Dummer Academy standards ofexcellence are lowered by making race,religion and sexual preference con- February 1142, 2000 siderations,we will have achieved no greater good than the schools ofold, that used similar standards to exclude all but white males. Stay tuned for more information. Joseph P. Stevens '64 — 2 TheArchon Spring 1999 student profile Of At The Top Her Game: Willeman Hamilton's Excels At Horse Shows the sport.And there is the possibility ofher In explaining her progress in the Reprinted Courtesy ofTlie Boston Globe andJohn Laidler;February 7, 1999 trying out for the Olympics one day. Her sport, Willeman talks about the hours of byJohn Laidler, Globe Correspondent equestrian accomplishments are all the practice she has put in. She said self-condi- Sarah Willeman can hardly remember more notable because they have not come tioning activities such as weight training a time when she didn't love horses. "I was at the expense ofher grades. and yoga also help.AndWilleman is quick a horse-crazy little kid," said the 17-year- For much of the year, Willeman to give credit to others, notably her coach- old Hamilton resident. Even as a small attends school only four days a week, es, Missy Clark and Michael Keough. But child, she recalls countless hours playing devoting Fridays and weekends to her they say it isWilleman's own qualities that with plastic toy ponies and race horses. competitions. From January through explain much ofher success. By the time she was six, she was rid- March, she flies each Thursday night to "She is incredibly bright," said Clark, ing ponies. By eight, she was entering Florida, where her seven horses are kept a nationally known NewYork-based coach horse shows.And last year, at 16,Willeman and where the winter's major horse shows who has been working withWilleman the achieved national recognition on the horse are held. Still, she remains a top student at past two years."She is also a very,very ded- show circuit when she won a string ofrib- Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield, icated, hard worker and has spent many bons at some ofthe most prominent events where she is a senior. The school has hours trying to perfect her riding." in the sport'sjunior division, which covers allowed her the flexibility of a four-day Keough, who owns the Castle Neck competitors 18 and under. schedule on condition thatWilleman meet Farm in Essex whereWilleman's horses are Last fall,Willeman was the only rider its academic standards. based in the warmer months, said in the country to "win ribbons at all four of Her immersion in the world ofhorse Willeman's poise, too, has served her well. the major national finals forjuniors in the shows is not something she consciously "She has the ability to focus on doing equitation division, including first place in planned,Willeman said. "The whole thing what is necessary without the interference the prestigious Washington International just happened gradually. I had all these ofanxiety or apprehension," he said. Horse Show Equitation Classic finals. interests: I took ballet, I took gymnastics, I Clark said that Willeman has done Horse show competitions have three divi- played the piano, I took art lessons," she particularly well in the equitation division. sions:jumper,hunter and equitation.While said. "Whenever I had to make a choice But, she said, "what makes her unique is she has one year ofjunior-level competi- between one of those things and riding, I that she has also had successes in the other tion still ahead, Willeman, who has been always chose riding. Finally, it got down to venues of the sport," the hunter and admitted to Stanford University, already is piano and riding and that was really tough, jumper divisions. making plans to enter some Grand Prix but I chose riding. So now what I do is competitions this year, the premier level of riding and school." — TheArchon Fall 1999 3 campus on International Students Celebrate Hailing from Canada, Colombia, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia,Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan, GDA's international students have been involved in all levels ofGDA life. But on one morning last spring, the community celebrated their presence with an all-school Convocation. Advised by International Student Coordinator Kathy Guy, 1998-99s international students had been working all spring to present to their fellow classmates and teachers a survey oftheir experiences both in their home countries and here at GDA. On April 29, the GDA student body filed into Thompson Theater to the tune of Korean music.Teresa Han '00 and Hannah Cho '00 demonstrated Korean bowing practices, and Brian Choi '00 sought to explain some stereotypes that Korean students have experienced in this country. Choi explained that he and others have had to respond to such comments as: all students are good at math, all Germans are tall and blond, all Asians do martial arts, all Asians study all the time. Min Bae '99 gave a demonstration of self- Boston Marathon defense andjudo practices with help from audience volunteers. Former student Cadence Dubus shared her prior expectations and her first-hand Volunteers impressions ofKorea when she visited Han at her home last year. Shin Ryoo '99 showed a video clip ofa Korean classroom and described many ofits differences from classrooms byJoel Christian Crawford '99 — On at GDA from their ban on wearingjewelry at school to the 55 students in each class. Sunday, April 18th, a group of 18 The entire group sat with ESL instructor Karen Gold and answered a series ofques- students and nine teachers braved the early tions previously written by members of the community, or that they have been asked at morning light to practice the school some point since living in the United States."Do you eat anything besides rice at home?... motto: "Not for self, but for others." The Are you from North or South Korea? ...How do you know how to ski? ...Don't you 'wish small band of well-wishing Governor you were white? ...What were the hardest things to adapt to at GDA? ...Why do theAsian Dummer volunteers welcomed runners kids hang around together?" from all over the nation and world to the The morning of dance, laughter, and learning highlighted the value of having a city and the marathon.This year's participa- diverse population ofstudents on campus, and allowed all ofthe community a chance to tion included welcoming the runners, get to know each otherjust a little better. handing out marathonT-shirts,handing out race packets, translating directions and information for some of the marathon's international runners, and carting supplies of food into the exposition center for the Let's Talk Baseball runners and volunteers to eat.Yet the greatest achievement for the Boston Marathon vol- GDA unteers is that is the only high school Former Red Sox catchers Bob Montgomery P'OO andJerry Moses were on cam- allowed participation in the marathon's preparation. pus last spring, sharing their stories ofthe major league with the school.The two play- The event was by no means dull for the volunteers. Many shared stories with ers from the late 60's and 70's attended ElaineWhite's English classes,joining a discus- runners about old hometowns and same home-states, and familiar names. Every one sion on the metaphor ofbaseball in American culture and society, and also presented ofthe participants will take home a similar story of a crazy person yelling about how to the whole school at a convocation.The men explained that baseball not only opened you have to have an extra-large T-shirt in order to win the race. The 103rd Boston doors academically and socially, but also gave them the opportunity to go forward in Marathon will have a special meaning for the city and the BostonAthleticAssociation, their careers, and to learn to trust in themselves and find success in their own eyes. the last ofthe century and millennium, but more importantly for the GDA community that, in its small way, gave a piece ofitselfto the world. — 4 The Archon Fall 1999 Littleton Reflection Health Fair 1999 On a brisk, bright morning last spring, OnApril 15,51 regional health organ- the GDA community gathered in silence at izations and over 300 students and mem- GDA the flagpole outside of the Frost Building bers of the community descended to recognize the tragedy of Littleton, CO. upon theAlumni Gymnasium for the GDA Sponsored by the Christian Fellowship and Health Fair of 1999. Organized by Health organized by Emily Ouimette '01 and his- EducatorJanet Epstein and a hard-working GDA tory teacher Scott Larsen, the break was crew of Allies and student volunteers, not specifically a time of prayer but a the gymnasium was transformed by inter- moment of reflection for the people of active exhibits and informational displays Littleton. In addition, a large card signed by on all sorts of health issues. Attending members ofthe school was sent to the stu- groups included the American Red Cross, dents and staffat Columbine High School. the YWCA, Earth Song Herbals, TCBY, Sarah Willeman Outward Bound, the Sleep Center of Portsmouth,Anna Jaques Hospital,Vitamins, Heads in the etc., sports and therapeutic massage, the Published Historian Women's Crisis Center, DARE, New Clouds England Tobacco Education Collaborative, the Oriental Cultural Institute, the Lions' Sarah Willeman '99 ofHamilton, MA, GDA ClubVision Mobile, and many more. Science teacher Hal Scheintaub was honored this spring as the first Held in 1993 and 1996, the Health Fair scholar ever to be published in the histori- GDA cal journal, The Concord Review. The jour- is a recurring resource for the greater community. Epstein explains she was very and his ninth grade class ventured into nal is the only English-language publica- "pleased with the success" ofthe event, and tion in the world ofresearch essays by high hopes to have even more participate in 2002! school students ofhistory, and is circulated some new technology with wonderful in 42 states and 32 countries. AP Sarah's essay, written for her U.S. Only Connect Power Point presentations on clouds. History class last year, is entitled, "The Mountain Meadows Massacre: Atrocious Crime and Astonishing Mystery," and This spring, the Wright Science GDA Saved in a folder called Cloudshine on explores the 1857 massacre in the Utah ter- Project at sponsored the "Only ritory of a wagon train bound for Connect" competition, a contest honoring California. In order to publish the 15,000- artistic submissions that best connect sci- the school network, the presentations word essay, the Re—view is waiving its 4,000- ence and other academic disciplines. 6,000 word limit a true sign of the col- Entries,judged on creativity, artistic merit, lege-level quality ofher work.AsAcademic pedagogical value, and relevance to the were accessible to all faculty and Dean Bill Quigley explains, "This is the middle and high school student, must most remarkable research paper I have read apply to the study ofthe earth's water and students on any of the networked since I began teaching high school history air. Winning entries, determined by sci- in 1984. It is a work of extraordinary craft ence teacher Steven Metz and a faculty and careful, sophisticated scholarship." prize committee, are to be included in a computers. Power Point software not-for-profit collection of curricular Day of Silence activities distributed to teachers by print, CD-Rom, and the Internet. Tom Hand enabled the students to create a slide '00 earned an honorable mention; Becky On Thursday April 22, the Gay Dosh '99, Francis Ng '99, Kempton Straight Alliance sponsored a day ofsilence show simulation, complete with sound, Randolph '00, and Nathaniel Sprague '99 to recognize the silencing that gay individ- earned first prizes; and grand prizes went uals have often faced in our society. to Michael Curran '02 and Marienna Participated in by many students during motion, and a visual drama ofthe vari- Murch '02. the academic day, the activity also provoked dialogue in classes about the importance of ety and forms ofclouds and weather. speaking out in recognition of discrimina- tion and the power of living in another's shoes for a day. — The Archon Fall 1999 5 — campus o n Midnight by Brittany Perham '99 — Mercer Poetry Award winner The Magi search for the baby and they return to their wives, changed. The sheep sway in the manger like ferns. Shepherds, heads covered against the heat ofthe star, fold to their knees. The organ treads heavily on the notes. We light our candles, rise to sing, as humming birds search for honey Here is what I am looking for: The bells, and my brother on the pew, swaddled my in mother's coat, waking to Christmas. The Children /^\ f%m /§/*/% 9 A New English classes last April. Englander poets giving readings, poetry workshops, After Patrick Kavanagh by birth, Creeley has spent a good portion and student readings of their own work by Robert Creeley of his life travelling and teaching through- before the entire gathered assembly. out the world. In the 1950s he taught at GDA's own Murphy/Mercer poetry Down on the sidewalk recurrent Black Mountain College and edited the and short story contest is held each spring children's forms, reds, greens, Black Mountain Review, a crucial gathering in honor of Masters Thomas Mercer and walking along with the watching place for alternative senses of writing. He Mac Murphy. Students can submit a short elders not their own. has taught at the University of New story and up to four poems for considera- Mexico and at the State University ofNew tion. Department Chair Elaine White It's winter, grows colder and colder. York at Buffalo, where he now lives. Most explains, "It is very fun for the English How to play today without sun? identified as a poet, Creeley counts among department because we do not know the Will summer, gone, come again? his friends and mentors Allen Ginsburg and identity ofthe authors until the very end of Will I only grow older and older? William Carlos Williams, and is broadly the judging. It is wonderful to be sur- known for the impact ofhis collaborations prised!" First place winners in each catego- Not wise enough yet to know with diverse artists, notably musicians and ry receive a book prize, and the work ofall you're only here at all visual artists. He was awarded the 1999 prizewinners is published in the school's lit- as the wind blows, now Bollingen Prize for poetry, and has earned erary magazine, Spire. 1999 winners includ- as the fire burns low. dozens of other honors, including the ed Murphy Short Story Awards to Sarah American Award in Poetry, a Fulbright Willeman '99, Brittany Perham '99, and RobertCreeley:Latercopyright 1979.Reprintedbypermission ofNewDirections PublishingCorporation. Grant, and the LilaWallace/Reader's Digest Paul Morrissey '99. The 1999 Mercer Writers Award. Poetry Awards went to Perham, Treacy As the calls and cheers from the His wise and gentle presence touched Silverstein '00,Willeman, and Mcintosh. intramural softball games drifted in many throughout his two days on campus. Other events throughout the spring through the library windows with As teacher Paul Wann exclaimed, "Creeley, included visiting speaker Dr. Michael the sun-setting light last spring, a group of here, in Byfield! What better life could we Antonakes delivering to sophomores a dra- attentive students and faculty listened to have?!" Creeley's presence was but one way matic interpretation oftheWorldWar I poets, GDA the relaxed figure before them. Poet in which celebrated poetry lastApril. entided "Creativity and Destruction", and Robert Creeley, great-uncle of Genevieve The annual Poetry Festival for inde- Two Bears, a Cherokee medicine man, hold- Reynolds '00, sat in an armchair in the pendent and public schools celebrated its ing freshmen spellbound in the old Frost Bragdon Reading Room, talking in a quiet 15th anniversary at Middlesex School on library as he discussed his Cherokee heritage — voice as though we were in his living April 22. Representatives of GDA, Mark and the function ofmyth and storyin his life. room, or he in ours. Lipman '00, Caitlin Mcintosh '01, Jessica At aTuesday night at the Pescosolido Library, In honor of National Poetry Month, Watson '01, and Jaimie Pressman '99, were local piet Rhina Espaillat recited Federico Creeley came to campus for a reading and chosen based upon the quality of their Garcia Lorca's poetry to guitarist John — reception a conversation might better poems submitted to the English depart- Travano's accompaniment. — describe it and guest leadership of three ment. The festival included professional — 6 TheArchon Fall 1999 Bastian Earns National Art Award Will Bastian, a freshman from Tampa, FL, was awarded a Gold in a National ScholasticArtAwards contest. Bastians work by Brittany Perham '99 was entered in the national contest by Tlie Boston Globe after he won a Gold Key in the Boston Globe Art Awards competition last month. His photograph was on exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery ofArt in Washington, DC, and he attended a ceremony in DC Washington, where he was presented with his award and a $100 prize. Other 1999 Boston Globe photography awards went to Teaya Bromley '00 (a Gold Key) and Brittany Perham '99 (a Silver Key). by Will Bastian '02 by Teaya Bromley '00 — The Archon Fall 1999 7 campus on fine arts As You Like It Based in the outdoor world as it is, Shakespeare's AsYou Like It found a perfect venue in Byfield last May. Nestled amidst the trees behind the Pescosolido Library, the spring drama production took on the challenges and rewards of outdoor theatre. While the audience huddled under blan- kets to fight offthe challenge ofearly summer mosquitoes and cool twilight air, the actors learned to project their lines into the open breezes. Humanities director Peter Nelson explained, "As You Like It has its origin in outdoor theatre."We felt lucky to find a spot on campus that adapted so well to the production." With backstage as the KaiserArt Center, the players moved in and out ofthe grove oftrees, pronounced their love from a stone wall platform, and tum- Last year's Student Body PresidentJoe Turner '99, was recently elected President ofthefreshman class at bled and joked through the grass at the Bowdoin College. audience's feet. Spring Thing Blues harp, electric violin, song in the style of Bobby McFerrin, Mozart and Joplin by the Academy Orchestra, Chopin waltz on piano,Johnny Spec and the BC's jazz band, the Academy Singers with Bohemian Rhapsody, vocal soloists 'with U2, Gershwin, Beatles selections Need .. . we say more? The final Fine Arts concerts of 1999 had almost as many people partic- ipating as in the audience, with variety that would knock your socks off. According to the Man with the Red Shoes, director Chris Stowens, "Every year it gets better Jessica Watson '01,John Spector '99, and Elisabeth Coolidge '00perform in AsYou Like It. and better ..." — 8 TheArchon Fall 1999