2008 September

NMH farm fresh raspberries

Welcome to Newswire, NMH's quarterly alumni e-newsletter. If you read Newswire regularly, you will see that our format has changed. We're now hosting the information on our own website, which should make it easier for you to browse the site after you've read the latest. Tip: click on a title to read the full story; click on it again to close. We hope you enjoy!

CAMPUS NEWS

Opening Convocation, New Arts Center

On September 7, after a week of orientation, book buying, dorm decorating, and starting new classes, students joined faculty, staff, trustees, and honored guests to participate in what will go down as a grand moment in NMH history.

Head of School Thomas K. Sturtevant presided over the events of the day, conveying intellect, heart, and humor as he delivered his opening convocation speech to the capacity crowd in Memorial Chapel. Immediatly after the convocation program, he led a procession down Chapel Hill and across the grassy quad to the campus’s newest facility.

Standing in front of the brick façade warmly lit by the afternoon sun, the group watched as William R. Rhodes ’53 ceremonially cut the maroon and gold ribbon draped across the entrance of the Rhodes Arts Center. Rhodes, lead donor for the project, noted his pleasure at making a gift that would honor his family’s long legacy at NMH. His first relative graduated in 1912, followed by his father’s graduation in 1916. Noting the school’s founder and the spirit of the day, Rhodes said, “This is certainly a Dwight L. Moody moment.”

Click here to read more about the day and see photos.

Get Out the Vote!

In 1988, NMH faculty members Jim Shea and Lorrie Byrom created a bellwether program for teaching teens about the electoral process in the United States: VOTES (Voting Opportunities for Teenagers in Every State).

Each presidential election year since then, Shea and Byrom have recruited two high schools from every state and the District of Columbia to join NMH and participate in a month-long series of educational events including issues polls, guest speakers, movie screenings, and debates. It all culminates in a mock election night that mimics TV network news coverage. This year, distinguished alumni Diane Farrell ’73 and Phil Handy '62 addressed the NMH community as part of the speaker series. (See related article about Farrell in Greenfield, MA, The Recorder.)

Of note: student participants in VOTES have accurately predicted the national outcome in four of the last five elections. Results of this year's mock election will be posted online on October 29.

Many Moments of Contemplation

Three very special guests, exiled Tibetan monks and a musician, came to campus this month as part of the Compassionate Mandala Tour. Over the course of four days, they “painted” a sand mandala, a 2,500-year-old act of art that symbolizes the Buddhist concept of impermanence. The goal of the tour is to increase awareness of the need to be compassionate.

It was the inaugural event for the Ed and Ginny Brooks Speaker Series, endowed through the generosity of Juan Fernando Conde ’82 and Katrina Harriman '82. The Brookses taught in the religious studies program from 1969 to 2005. Ginny served as department chair for several years, and both served as co-chaplains from 1984 to 1997.

The entire campus community and local alumni, parents, and residents were invited to observe the monks as they worked, as well as to attend the dissolution ceremony and visit-ending Concert for Peace.

Nostalgic Tug

Do you remember who won the Rope Pull when you were a junior, and then a senior? The first Rope Pull took place in 1884, making it one of the school’s oldest traditions, a rite of initiation for upperclass students, and a light-hearted way to get the year rolling. See photos of the classes of 2009 and 2010 in action, mud, face paint, and all. Oh, and this year, the juniors prevailed.

A Kick Off the Old Block

On September 13, the boys varsity soccer team took on a squad of seasoned veterans: 19 alumni soccer players, stars themselves back in the day. Ethan Kline ’89 of London, England, traveled the farthest to dig his spikes into NMH dirt; Bob Gibson ’80 brought reinforcements in the form of his son, Avery; and Bill Harris ’56 earned kudos for oldest man on the field. In the spirit of the day, everyone agreed: “May the best team win.” (Hint: the team with the youngest average age took the trophy.) Click here to see photos.

New Artificial Turf Field Sees Action

More NMH history was made on Saturday, September 27, when the Hoggers varsity football team kicked off against Worcester Academy on a rain-soaked field...but without mud. Playing on the newly-installed artificial turf surface on Thorndike Field, the Hoggers were victorious as a tropical storm passed over.

An alumnus and current parent generously initiated the fundraising for the much-needed facility improvement (a second artificial turf surface on McLamore Field will be completed soon), having an immediate positive impact on the fall athletics program. You can make a gift online to help support this project.

Visit NMH athletics online for schedules, rosters, news, and more.

ALUMNI IN THE NEWS

In the Arts...

Laura Linney '82



Yaya DaCosta '00

Nominated for several Academy and Emmy Awards during her prodigious career, Laura Linney '82 recently earned an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a movie or mini-series. She portrayed the president's wife in HBO's seven-part historical series, John Adams. News of the awards was published in the media worldwide. Linney is the honorary chair of the NMH Arts Advisory Council.

Yaya DaCosta ’00 recently made her Broadway debut in the drama The First Breeze of Summer, costarring with Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams. The play was widely reviewed in the New York press, and DaCosta and Uggams appeared in a recent New York Times profile. In the story, the reporter refers to DaCosta’s time at NMH, saying that it was here where she “settled into herself and began acting and writing plays more seriously.”

In Finance...

William R. Rhodes '53

NMH's Board of Trustees Chairman Emeritus William R. Rhodes ’53, senior vice chairman of Citigroup, appeared on the Financial Times online segment "View from the Top." Rhodes talked about federal action during the recent financial crisis, as well as about regulation of financial institutions, risk management, and the future of financial services. He also addressed the impact of the economy on the presidential election and on global markets.

In Sports...

Dallas Baker '02



Oliver Drake '06

Dallas Baker '02 was named the the No. 4 wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their regular-season opener this season. A Steelers' seventh-round pick in 2007, Baker was a standout player for the University of Florida, helping the Gators take home the national title in 2006.

NMH alum and righty pitcher for the US Naval Academy Oliver Drake ’06 was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in June. Drake was the fourth Navy player drafted by a Major League Baseball team in the program’s history.

Click here for more NMH athletes in the news, including a number of full-text media articles.

In Politics...

Peter Donald '05, McCain



Valerie Jarrett '74

Taking time off from college at Catholic University of America, Peter Donald '05 is raising money for Arizona senator and nominee for president John McCain. Working on McCain's advance team, he handles the logistics, events, and production of events for the campaign. Long a political activist, Donald (see his LinkedIn bio) was the chair of the Campus Republicans while a student at NMH.

On August 11, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric interviewed Barak Obama senior advisor Valerie Jarrett '74. Jarrett talked about her relationship with the Obamas, Jerimiah Wright, her parents' accomplishments, and race and sex discrimination. And for the latest, see the feature article about Jarrett just out in October's Vogue.

FROM THE ADVANCEMENT OFFICE

Thirty-seven members of the NMH Alumni Council came to campus recently to catch up on school news, visit the new Rhodes Arts Center, and continue their committe work. The group also met with Tom Sturtevant, head of school, and James Greenwood, director of multicultural education.

The council's on-campus meeting sent a strong message of support to current students and set just one example of how alumni give back to NMH long after graduation.



2008-09 Executive Committee

• Elizabeth Hall Olszewski '87, president
• Kristin Steele '90, vice president
• Tod Dimmick '82, secretary
• Vin '67 and Becky Parfitt Kennedy '67, Annual Fund cochairs
• Jean Fuller Farrington '53, awards committee chair
• Estelle Burgess '79, reunion advisory committee chair
• Lloyd Mitchell '57, diversity committee chair
• Grace Lesser '03, young alumni committee chair
• Dorrie Susser '56, area association cochair
• Shirley Eng '90, area association cochair
• Marggie Slichter '84, director of alumni and parent programs
  
  
  

Take a Seat!

Members of the NMH community are invited to name a seat in one of the Rhodes Arts Center performance venues: in the 250-seat Raymond Hall or the 225-seat end-stage-theater ($3,000 each); or in Heffernon Hall or the dance studio theater ($1,500 each, portable seating). The names of donors—or the honoree of choice—will be etched on seat or wall plaques. Surprise a loved one with the gift of a seat.

Click here to see a video tribute to the arts at NMH and to learn more about how to name a seat. Or contact Bill Rowe '83, director of advancement initiatives, at 413-498-3601.

NMH 130th Anniversary Campaign: Ways to Give

With only $10 million more to go, we are well on our way to meeting the NMH 130th Anniversary Campaign goal of $80 million. Please make an investment in NMH today, starting with a gift to the this year's Annual Fund! To learn how, click here. Thank you!

Visit the campaign website for updates, news, and photos.

QUICK LINKS

The Better to Browse With

Want to keep up-to-date with the latest news at NMH? Come and visit This Week at NMH often! You'll find lots of links to other great information, such as Athletes and Contest of the Week, the school calendar of events, and recent media coverage of NMH.

Alumni are alerted to each Newswire edition via e-mail. If you know of a fellow alum who is not receiving Newswire, please forward this edition and/or tell them about our address update page.

CALENDAR

October 11 "From the Top" Performance, Raymond Hall

October 14  NMH in Chicago: information

October 25  NMH Trustees Weekend, on campus

October 25  Moody Dinner and Raymond Hall dedication

October 29 to Noveber 4  NMH in Seoul, Shanghai, Hong Kong: information

November 12  118th Bemis-Forslund Pie Race: registration

December 4  Washington, DC phonathon at George Washington University: information

December 4  NMH in Scottsdale/Phoenix: information

December 7  Christmas Vespers

December 18  Off-campus Christmas Vespers, Emmanual Episcopal Church in Boston, 7 PM