Schmidt's on a roll...

 

Doug Schmidt was able to catch two of the busiest people in our class for a celebratory dinner on the Upper West side in Manhattan - Chris Flagg and PB Weymouth.  Chris is doing real estate deals and PB is working on private and public deals in defense, technology, and other sectors.  Their kids are launched except for PB’s youngest who is at Yale.  Doug adds, "We celebrated a milestone in my business that may be announced in coming weeks.  If anyone is coming through NYC, please drop in to say hello!"

WORTH THE TRIP!

Kudos to Whit Sheppard for just deciding to drive out to campus from Boston on Choate Day!  Strong showings by all teams led to a thorough trouncing of the Wild Boars, especially V Football on Jim Smith Field, 50-26.  This was the 99th rendition of the rivalry so plan on descending on Wallingford, CT next fall for #100!

So glad that Whit was able to bump into Chris Flagg and PB Weymouth too!

Zoom HH #2 - some old, some new!

Another fun Happy Hour on Zoom occurred - and it was great to see some new faces!  Welcome to Charlie Gagne (CA), John Cianciolo (RI), Sean Nottage (Bahamas), Scott Pryce (VA) and Bob Keirstead (IL).  Thanks for returning Doug Cruikshank (NY - points for the DA hat!), Jim Wareck (CA), Whit Sheppard (VA), Eric Suher (MA), Chris Flagg and PB Weymouth (NY) and JK in CO.

We learned that Cianciolo is engaged, Keirstead is retired from the Air Force, Pryce works in commercial real estate and the Bahamas lock down has been tougher, and more effective, than most other countries in the world. We also learned that Jim Wareck is Jewish and that JK has no idea how to "print screen" on his Mac desktop.

Look for another invite from "john.g.knightATdu.edu" (AT=@) for DA83 Zoom HH #3 - to be held SATURDAY, MAY 23 at 6 pm ET.  Share the invite with anyone else in the class you'd like to see on the call - JK might not have their email address and it might have never made it to them.

That was fun. Zoom HH #2 scheduled for May 2

Thanks to those classmates who braved the first Class of 83 Zoom Happy Hour!

Great to See and hear from Brian Steward (TX), John Knight - Don Hindman and Will Piersol (CO), Adam Feiges (IA), Eric Suher and Ben Patton (MA), Dean Singewald (CT), Jim Wareck and Alex Kerr (CA), Whit Sheppard (VA) and Chris Flagg - PB Weymouth and Doug Cruikshank (NY).

We all agreed to do it again and to try and expand the attendee list!

One classmate also recommended a book to the group: "The Classmates: Privilege, Chaos and the End of an Era" by Geoffrey Douglas.  Big picture - it follows five classmates from the class of 1962 at St. Paul's School - John Kerry among them".  Sounds interesting!

Class of 1983 Zoom HH #2 will be May 2 at 6 pm ET.  To get the invite - ask any of the attendees from HH #1 or email "jgknight83 AT gmail.com".  (HINT: use @ for "AT")

The more the merrier!!!

Kudos to Dean Singewald for the DA Dining Hall as his virtual background!  Maybe we should call it "Sit-Down Happy Hour"?

Seen in Western, MA

Thanks to Sean Nottage for connecting on Parents Weekend with current parents Chris Flagg and PB Weymouth!

Hot ATL

Kudos to PB and Hardie for connecting over breakfast while PB was in town for "work" events related to the Super Bowl.  Looking good fellas!

Executive - ly

You may remember that Chris Flagg and JK are both on the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association now - so you'll be happy to know that your class continues to have a voice in the engagement efforts for alumni.

Chris and JK only vote as a block and only talk just to each other during meetings.  Then they retire to the Deerfield Inn for refreshments!

The recent meetings coincided with the dedication of the new athletic facility (think "renovations" totaling $68 MM).  It's a "game-changer" for many sports and with the recent Morsman Pavilion added over 6 of the tennis courts, there are really no weather related excuses for not practicing anymore...enjoy some pictures of the event. (And here's a link to 100 more pics of the facility/opening)

The new Class of 1993 Rink is built into the hillside with the new field house above it...

The rowing facility looks like the National Team training center - two rowing tanks and a roomful of ERGs next door.  There's a Weymouth on the wall of honor!

There's a golf simulator room, puck shooting room, two yoga studios etc. etc.

Chase Coleman '93 and family enjoyed the first skate on the ice.  Chase was instrumental in the funding for the rink...

Former grounds crew and rink manager Jim Antone was on hand to admire the new Jim Antone Skate Room - donated by five former DA hockey players...

Robe Hale '84 was given the great honor of a renamed facility - the "New Gym" is now the Hale Family Gymnasium - Rob spoke eloquently about the faculty members who shaped his talents and why he and his wife are so passionate about supporting financial aid at DA.

And of course, the ageless and still employed at DA Norm Therien of socks and jocks fame, was on hand to enjoy the festivities!

Quick trip back to DA this weekend for the trustee dinner to honor David Pond on his retirement. David was Head of Alumni Affairs and Development for 34 years!  Featured are some shots of the renovated Memorial Building (now Hess Center for the Arts) and some of your old friends - former Business Manager Mike Sheridan '58, Victor Wright '84 (Supreme Court of California Judge - DA Trustee), Jeff Louis '81, Jay Morsman '55 and Eric Widmer '57.  Toward the end is a pic of David Koch '58 and Jay Morsman but couldn't get close enough to hear anything interesting...Special treat to see PB Weymouth and catch him sneaking a snort into the new concert hall, where we were treated to a performance of Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring" which was incredible. The Art Gallery and the Concert Hall are absolutely incredible.  The Arts teaching was always great at DA - the spaces have finally caught up.  (Next up - the FLB Library getting gutted to include more collaborative and iLab maker spaces etc. Then a field house and new hockey rink! DA Scroll has a master plan article: SCROLL

Good luck!

So a few of us from the class are at a dinner in NYC but not all at the same table.  One classmate says, "Hey John, I'd like to meet that new Dean of Admission, Pam Safford." So after dinner I introduce my classmate, who reminds us that he has a child applying to DA this year.  Another classmate notices that the new Dean of Admission is only occupied by two classmates and introduces himself, and reminds her that he has a child in the applicant pool this year.  Finally the fourth member of our tribe notices all the attention being paid to the new Dean of Admission by our class and comes over to mention...he has a child in the applicant pool this year as well.

Pam was a good sport to pose for the photo and she brings that balance to her work.  My fingers are crossed for all the great sons and daughters of alumni who will apply this year.  They do tend to fare better in the process, like 3 times better than a non-legacy candidate, but in the final accounting fewer than 50% in that category are offered admission.

This was the dinner where Rob Hale '84 and his wife Karen announced their $25MM gift for financial aid to DA, the single largest gift ever made to the Academy.  It was a terrific event and Deerfield will thrive because of all of our philanthropy combined, not just Rob's.  Please remember the annual fund when an email or letter comes your way or go to www.deerfield.edu/give

Singing the songs

PB points

PB makes a point under the great tent...

Retirements and Reunions

P.B. Weymouth '83 retired from his six year stint at the helm of the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association this past weekend.  This trustee position gave him a seat at the table for decisions great and small over that time and we are grateful for his leadership.  I wore my frayed Class of 1983 tie in his honor when I was invited to speak at the meeting.  He'll be at our 30th reunion June 14-16..

Mimi and Jay Morsman's retirement dinner also occurred this weekend and it was a warm reception for their 75+ years of service to the school. Family and friends were treated to a delicious meal on DA china with student performers from the winter production of Little Shop of Horrors.

They will also attend reunions June 14-16...

Speaking of REUNIONS (www.deerfield.edu/go/reunions)

look for at least these classmates under the new tent.  We hope all of you considering it will register now!  Heck, Spads is coming from Colorado!

• Kevin Bresnahan and Maura Bresnahan
• John Brown
• Doug Cruikshank
• Christopher Flagg and Heidi Flagg
• John Knight
• John Munro
• Jeff Spadafora
• Philip Weymouth

PS - David Hagerman '64 will not be at reunions but he was around this weekend so here's a bonus picture!

'83 earns $15K as Most Improved! Way to go!

Results of the April Donor Challenge at DA are in and congratulations are in order.  Thank you so much for responding to the outreach of your class agents: Blain, Clark, Feiges, Fitzpatrick, Flagg, Knight, Singewald, Sullivan, Townsend, Weymouth and Wolf, who were led by the enthusiastic Doug Schmidt...

What a rally - with a week to go we had 20 april donors and the class of '74 had 27.  In the last week we added 17 donors and they only added 3!

The team will bask in the glory for a week or two, then its back to the phones to rally the rest of the class to make a gift by June 30 to help DA garner >50% alumni participation for the first time in 6 years...

The official announcement:

Class of 1983 Surprises, Class of 1979 Repeats!!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2011 April Donor Challenge!

Most Donors in April

Class of 1979 with 113 donors, 1st place $15,000

Class of 1964 with 84 donors, 2nd place $8,000

Class of 1983 44 donors*  

Class of 1974 38 donors*  

Class of 1966 with 32 donors, 3rd place $1,797

Most Improved April 2011 Donors Compared to April 2010

Class of 1983 +37 donors, 1st place $15,000

Class of 1974 +30 donors, 2nd place $8,000

Class of 1966 +20 donors*

Class of 1964 +16 donors*

Class of 1977 +10 donors, 3rd place tie $898.50

Class of 2009 +10 donors, 3rd place tie $898.50

 *Challenge rules stipulate a class may only win in one category.

To view complete results, go to deerfield.edu/go/aprildonorchallenge

The April Donor Challenge brought in 894 gifts and $585,595 in revenue, greatly helping us toward our year-end goals of 50% participation and $5,000,000 in revenue.

Thanks to everyone who made a gift in April!

Team '83 representing at the NYC Phonathon - working hard to keep us in the money in the April Donor Challenge!!! We're the SECOND MOST IMPROVED class from a year ago and shooting for more.  Thanks to all the guys we reached tonight, and all of our 20+ donors.

Weymouth, Armstrong, Flagg, and Schmidt - an amazing performance.  Thank You!!! Thanks for creating the street sign...
from my iPhone

Good morning!

Trustee PB Weymouth at breakfast for Volunteers Weekend in the refurbished Greer Store.

2007 - June - DA 83 E News

DA Class of 1983 E-Newsletter
June 2007
Dear 83er,

Welcome to our most recent addition: Greg Badalich! That puts us at 131 members of the class on the E-Newsletter distribution – impressive – thanks for keeping in touch.

ClASS NOTES:
(Ed. Note. Most notes can be posted and viewed on www.DeerfieldAlumni.org, you should register for the alumni website to read them and post your own.). If you need any helping logging on to the site, like your unique ID – please email jknight@deerfield.edu

Most Recent Postings to class notes on www.DeerfielAlumni.org:

David Morley (1983)David Morley (1983) writes, "I competed in the US Masters National Championships in Federal Way Washington on the 18-20th of May. Swam five of six personal best (masters times, that is) and finished as follows in my age group (40-44 years) 50 Backstroke - 4th, 100 Backstroke - 5th, 200 Backstroke - 7th, 100 Butterfly - 10th, 100 IM - 7th and 200 IM - 5th. It was a great meet and a lot of fun watching other former Olympic swimmers compete at this level. In fact, there was a swimmer in my age group who is currently training to make his 4th Olympic team for Greece (now at age 42). Don't get any ideas - swimming for me is more for fitness and health reasons and the occasional competition. Beside that, everything else is great. I have been trying to encourage Sean Nottage to get back into the water and train and I keep getting the "I promise this time I really am going to get back in the water and start training again!" Submitted on Jun 18 2007.

David Smith (1983)Lt. Col. David Smith (1983) writes, "Gearing up for my third tour in Iraq this summer by keeping it simple in Vermont. My small maple sugaring operation makes about 40 gallons a year." Submitted on May 2 2007.
Gregory Atkinson (1983)Greg (Tex) Atkinson (1983) writes, "I finally have some news to report from Houston. My wife (Kristin) and I had our 4th child on April 3rd. Her name is Lainee Elizabeth Atkinson. Although she was born 6 weeks early and still in the ICU, she is doing great. She is improving daily, and we hope to bring her home soon." Submitted on Apr 16 2007.Craig Pattee (1983)Craig Pattee (1983) writes, "My kids are terrific: Mack is 3, and Brady is 4. We got them up on skis out in Jackson Hole recently. They love it and are becoming great little athletes. They continue to crack me up and I'm thoroughly enjoying being a dad. Bridget and I and the kids have moved out to a farm in Middleburg, VA, about an hour outside of DC. The commute is incredibly bad, but the quality of life can't be beat. Business is great, and our lobbying firm (Dutko Worldwide) survived the elections just fine. Change is good for the lobbying business (especially since we are a bi-partisan firm). And in my spare time, I'm advising Mitt Romney on his presidential run. So, life is great and I remain a lucky guy. My best to the Class of '83!" Submitted on Feb 15 2007.Kevin McKelvey (1983)Kevin McKelvey (1983) writes, "I am living in Boxford MA with wife Liza and kids, Phebe, 13 and Tim, 6. Phebe is nearing high school age and has already tossed Deerfield into the hat as a viable option. Nice to be a young lady in 2007 and have that choice! I'm sales director for a mobile music company here in Boston called Groove Mobile: selling full track music through wireless carriers like Sprint; think iPod on your phone. Hip-hop & rap rule the scene, so trying to keep up with the Akons, Yung Joc and Justin Timberlakes of the world. Lots of outdoor neighborhood fun: mountain biking, backyard hockey, skiing. The locals keep us very busy. Hoping to get back to DA for a winter sports weekend later this month." Submitted on Feb 13 2007.Paul Magee (1983)Paul Magee (1983) writes, "Currently living in inexpensive Mexico with my wife and children. Had to keep a low profile however after the US recently beat Mexico in soccer! Hoping to bring the family to Deerfield this summer for their first visit." Submitted on Feb 12 2007.

REMEMBER: 25th reunion is June 13-15, 2008

DEERFIELD TRUSTEES from the Class of 1983: Win One, Lose One

Philip B. Weymouth III

Philip B. "P.B." Weymouth III ’83 is the newly elected President of the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association and was also elected to serve a three-year term on the Board of trustees. He is a 1987 graduate of Yale University where he majored in Economics & Political Science and History. In 2004, Mr. Weymouth joined the boutique investment bank, Watch Hill Partners.

Mr. Weymouth has been a speaker and panelist at a variety of Media & Communications conferences and industry events and was a member of the board of the Software & Information Industry Association’s (SIIA) Content Division from 2003 to 2004. Mr. Weymouth currently serves on the board of mix1®, an all-natural, nutritional beverage company based in Boulder, Colorado.

In addition to his service to Deerfield, he serves on the Yale Campaign Committee and the University of Virginia’s National Committee on University Resources and has previously served on the Yale Development Board (1998 – 2006) and The Darden Society Board (1995 – 2002). Recently, he was appointed by the Headmaster as the President of the Buckley School Fathers Committee, upon which he has served since 2004. He and his wife, Elizabeth, reside in New York City with their three children.


Andrew N. Schiff ‘83

WHEREAS: The Board of Trustees of Deerfield Academy notes with regret the expiration of the term of Andrew N. Schiff member of the Class of 1983, as a member of the Board.
and
WHEREAS: Mr. Schiff has served the Board with generous compassion since 1997 as a member of the Board of Trustees, serving on the Executive Committee, the Student Life Committee, the Committee on Trustees and the Investment Committee.
and
WHEREAS: Mr. Schiff has in that time chaired the Student Life Committee and been instrumental in arranging fruitful opportunities for members of the Board to meet with students to listen and learn about Deerfield from diverse perspectives.
and
WHEREAS: Mr. Schiff as a physician has instigated productive discourse on the health issues of adolescents.

Now be it therefore RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Deerfield Academy expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Andrew Schiff for bringing his voice, vision and clear promise to the Academy and its people.
and
Be it further resolved that this Resolution be spread upon the minutes of the May 6, 2007 the Board of Trustees of Deerfield Academy and that the Clerk be instructed to send a copy thereof to Mr. Schiff.

NEWEST ADDITION TO THE 1983 Communication channel: THIRTY SIX classmates can now be viewed on our Class of 1983 Web Album. See current photos of classmates! Imagine the fun! Check it out by holding “Ctrl” while you click on the link below: You can even leave comments…Bookmark this page…

If you are having problems viewing this site, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/jgknight83/DA1983

ANNUAL SUPPORT: Our 24th year since graduation is almost over – and our annual support participation is a little leaner than usual. We have only 39 donors – our usual finish on June 30th is about 60. Please take a minute to participate – at whatever level – if you have not done so already. Go to www.deerfieldalumni.org and click the button to the right called “Make a Gift to Deerfield”. THANKS

CONTACTING THE EDITOR:
Please let me know if there is a better email address for this missive…Email for newsletter contributions is jknight01038@comcast.net – or you could always use classnotes@deerfield.edu, or POST YOUR OWN to the website at www.deerfieldalumni.org. Hope to hear from you…

2006 - June - DA 83 E News

DA Class of 1983 E-Newsletter
June 2006


Dear 83er,

Thanks to PB Weymouth for the completion of his 6 years on the Executive Committee of the Deerfield Alumni Association!


FROM THE NEW ALUMNI WEBSITE (www.DeerfieldAlumni.org):


Thirty- Three (33) of us have registered on the new site so far – the more who register and “unhide” a bit of contact information – the more robust the DIRECTORY SEARCH feature will be!


GOING FORWARD it is likely the Class of 1983 page on the site will be the central location of information and announcements – so know how to get there.

Having you been to the CLASS of 1983 PAGE on the new site at www.deerfieldalumni.org lately? (I know it needs work-send suggestions). If you need help registering for the new site contact Doug dschmidt2@nyc.rr.com or John jknight@deerfield.edu… Check out the upgrades on the new site!

Automated registration and password retrieval process.
MyPage feature that can be customized.
Permanent email forwarding.
Ability to create and post class notes and related photos.
The ability to register online for events in addition to Reunion and to display who else is attending.
Use virtually any field in the alumni directory searches.
Personally select which pieces of information are viewable and which are hidden for your own record.

Giving to DA: We’re in the final 60 days. Help us regain our laudable participation level. It doesn’t get much easier than clicking below:

P.S. 25th reunion is June 6-8, 2008

Please let me know if there is a better email address for this missive…Email for newsletter contributions is jknight01038@comcast.net – or you could always use classnotes@deerfield.edu, or POST YOUR OWN to the website at www.deerfieldalumni.org. Hope to hear from you…