From the Office of Alumni Relations & Engagement

Alumni News: April 2024

Hello friends –

Each year in May we welcome alumni on campus for Alumni Weekend. This year, we will be celebrating classes ending in 4 & 9. As part of our Alumni Weekend, we honor members of the Friends School community who have distinguished themselves with outstanding professional and personal achievements and those who have loyally dedicated their time and service to the School. I am excited to share those names with you today!

We present three awards: the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Outstanding Alumni Service Award, and an Honorary Alumni Award.

• The Distinguished Alumni Award was established to recognize and honor alum whose professional or volunteer achievements have brought distinction within a particular field or vocational endeavor, locally or on a national level.
• The Outstanding Alumni Service Award was established to honor an alum who has generously and loyally donated time and energy to enrich Friends and its future.
• The Honorary Alumni Award was established to honor a Friends School community member who exemplifies the Quaker philosophy and spirit, and who gives themselves to further the growth of Friends School and its community.
  

This year’s Award recipients are:

Michael K. Stern ’79 – Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
Stacey E. Brown ’84 – Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
Caryl L. Connor ’79, P’06 – Outstanding Alumni Service Award Recipient
Jennifer S. Smith P’19, ’22, ’24 – Honorary Alumni Award Recipient

Below you can read about each recipient and their achievements. We are thrilled to present these four individuals with our Alumni Awards!

In addition to the Alumni Awards, we will also induct several alums into the Friends School Athletic Hall of Fame which recognizes outstanding individual athletes, teams and coaches who have exemplified the School’s tradition of extraordinary sportsmanship and meritorious service to the athletic program. The 2024 Hall of Fame inductees are:

David H. Lentz ’74
Christopher J. Price ’74
Gay Ossman Rudow ’74
John M. Friedberg ’79
Laura B. Fine Liebman ’99
Brian P. Valle ’99
Caitlin A. Garman ’04
Ryan W. DeSmit ’09
Flannery K. McArdle ’09
Libby Nichols Willson ’09
2004 Varsity Women’s Lacrosse Team

I welcome you to join us in honoring this year’s award recipients and inductees on Friday, May 3 at 6:00 p.m. during the Athletic Hall of Fame & Alumni Awards Ceremony. Click here to register for the ceremony and other Alumni Weekend activities.

As always, if you need anything or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. I hope to see many of you on campus in May for Alumni Weekend!

Sophia Springer '13
Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement

2024 Alumni Award Recipients

Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

Michael K. Stern ’79
After conducting postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mike started his career as an industrial scientist. He is the former CEO of The Climate Corporation, one of the world’s largest agricultural data science companies, and the lead of Digital Farming for Bayer Crop Science. Before joining Bayer, Mike had a 30 year career at Monsanto Company where he served in a variety of leadership positions including Vice President Row Crops Americas, President, American Seeds; CEO of Renessen LLC, a biotechnology joint venture between Monsanto and Cargill; and Director of Technology for Agricultural Productivity. In addition to his leadership roles in the field, Mike is the author of 25 scientific publications and the inventor on 24 U.S. Patents. He has received several awards for his work in the industrial sciences, including most recently the 2017 National Agri-Marketing Business Leader of the Year Award. Dr. Stern is an active member of the St. Louis community where he and his wife, Karen, reside. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Missouri Botanical Garden and on the Board of Directors of AquaBounty Technologies and Lavoro Limited.

Stacey E. Brown ’84
Stacey currently serves as the principal advisor on management and budget issues to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works which has one of the top five valuable asset portfolios of all federal agencies. They operate, maintain, and manage more than $212 billion worth of United States’ water resources infrastructure. The program’s main priorities include upgrading waterways, building climate-resilient infrastructure, and investing in science, research, and development. Stacey is responsible for all matters related to the development and implementation of the Civil Works budget and the reimbursable international and inter-agency support activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She has held several leadership roles throughout her time with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has served at Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and worked closely with senior Administration officials and Congressional leaders. Throughout her tenure, Stacey has been honored with several awards including the 2017 National Women of Color STEM Career Achievement in Government Award, the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal, Army Engineer Association in 2011, and the Superior Civilian Service Award, Department of the Army four times (most recently in 2017).

Outstanding Alumni Service Award Recipient

Caryl L. Connor ’79, P’06
Over the past 45 years, Caryl has dedicated herself to Friends School in a number of ways. Since graduating, she has volunteered extensively including serving on the Board of Trustees and various sub-committees over 10 years. She has been a part of the Development Committee, The Fund for Friends Committee, Quaker Mission Oversight Committee, participated in the countless phonathons, and been an active member during Reunion years. Caryl is a third generation alum and is the parent of a Friends alum Nicolle Connor ’06. In addition to her time spent in the Friends community, Caryl retired from more than three decades of a career in education. She is currently indulging in her passions of travel, reading, and gardening. We thank Caryl for her contributions to the greater Friends community over the years.

Honorary Alumni Award Recipient

Jennifer S. Smith P’19, ’22, ’24
Jen has been an integral part of the Friends community for more than a decade. You can find Jen in the classroom as a substitute teacher, on the fields as Cross Country and Track & Field coach, or wearing one of her many hats with the Friends School Parents Association. She helped with the School’s Setting the Stage Campaign, chaired the Senior Family Gift Committee in 2022, and this year was honored as the MIAA Cross Country Coach of the Year. During her tenure with the FSPA, she has held almost every role including Class Parent, Grade Chair, Vice Chair and Chair of the Board, and is currently the Treasurer. She is an integral part of the planning and execution of our MLK Day of Service and has assisted with Scarlet & Gray Day over the years. With three sons who have graduated or are graduating from Friends and being married to Friends alum Burck Smith, Jr. ’88, it seems fitting to present Jen with this award. We’re glad to know we won’t lose her presence on campus!

Alumni Weekend | May 2–5, 2024

Don’t wait to register for Alumni Weekend! Join us for lunch in the Zamoiski Alumni Center with a performance by the Upper School Jazz Ensemble, for a campus tour, or to see friends during the Reunion Reception. Be sure to register by Friday, April 26!

Information about Class Parties and activities can be found on the Alumni Weekend webpage.

• Register and view the Alumni Weekend schedule here.
• Update your information with the Alumni Office here.

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Work at Friends

Did you know we have 22 alumni who work at Friends currently? We have several job opportunities available including a Senior Associate Director of Admission and Financial Aid with our Admissions team! Click here to see all available positions at Friends School.

Support Friends School with a Gift to The Fund for Friends

For nearly 300 years, Friends School has been providing a vigorous Quaker education that is built on a framework of academic excellence. When students graduate from Friends they have a foundation of learning that prepares them to lead meaningful and productive lives.

This exceptional student experience is made possible, in part, by the generosity of alumni, parents, parents of graduates, grandparents and friends. Simply put, the journey of each of our students is enhanced by your gift.

Click here to learn about ways you can support Friends through giving.

Connect with Us On Social Media

FSB Alumni Facebook
FSB Facebook
FSB Instagram
FSB LinkedIn
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For additional information, ongoing volunteer opportunities or to get involved, please contact the Alumni Office: alumni@friendsbalt.org or 410-649-3205.

From the Office of Alumni Relations & Engagement

Alumni News: March 2024

Hello friends –

How is it March already?! In typical Baltimore fashion, we’ve seen a glimpse of warm days followed by some bitter cold. I even saw snowflakes on Sunday evening! Most of the Friends community is off for Spring Break. As I write this, many of our students are abroad – engaged in language immersion programs in France, Switzerland, and for a second year in a row, Kyrgyzstan. Many of you may recall this Friends tradition and I am sure have fond memories of it.

For those of us still on campus, we are delighted to see that the Whiting-Turner team has started working on the Lower School renovation. This is part of a larger project to renew both East and West buildings, as well as the playground which runs along Charles Street. Once the projects are complete, students and teachers will benefit from spaces – indoor and out – that promote curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and reflection, and inspire joy in learning. The East Building is in fact the second oldest building on campus, and many of you will be happy to hear we will be preserving its historic character and beauty while providing necessary upgrades in line with sustainability, accessibility, and our commitment to excellence in academics. We’re excited to see it come to life over the summer!

Spring always brings a buzz to the Friends campus after the winter months. Lower School students shed their coats at recess, Middle School and Upper School spring athletics have begun, rehearsal for the Spring Musical is underway and more. Additionally, we have several alumni focused happenings coming up which I invite you to partake in. You’ll find more information below in in the Alumni Happenings and News section, along with several alumni spotlights.

If you have any questions, would like to learn more about on campus activities, or are interested in volunteering in the Friends community, send me a note. I look forward to connecting with the Alumni community further and hope to see you on campus sometime soon!

Sophia Springer '13
Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement

Alumni Weekend | May 2–5, 2024

Registration for Alumni Weekend is now open! Call your friends from Friends and enjoy Alumni Weekend festivities together. While the weekend is focused on Reunion Classes ending in 4 and 9, we welcome all Friends alumni and families to come celebrate with us. Don't wait to sign up for activities. Be sure to register by Friday, April 26!

Information about Class Parties and activities can be found on the Alumni Weekend webpage.

• Register and view the Alumni Weekend schedule here.
• Update your information with the Alumni Office here.

Alumni Happenings and News

Alumni Association Board Celebrated 100 Nights Dinner with the Class of 2024

Each year, the Alumni Association Board host a celebratory dinner for the Senior class. This year we welcomed the Class of 2024, with members of the Board providing a glimpse into life after Friends. The evening consisted of dinner, trivia, and of course some alumni swag giveaways. Hilary Baldwin Ruley ’95, Ali Pappas ’07, and one of the Board’s newest members, Holden Marshall ’15 shared fond memories of their time at Friends and ways to stay connected after graduating. The Class of 2024 graduates on Sunday, June 3.

Friends Hosts Reception with Visiting Artist Dean Mitchell on March 20

We invite you to join us at a reception for artist Dean Mitchell on March 20. The event will be held in the Katz Gallery, located in the lower level of the Forbush Building, from 3:45–5:30pm. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to rsvp@friendsbalt.org.

Mitchell is known for his figurative, landscape, and still life work. In addition to his watercolors, he is accomplished in other mediums including egg temperas, oils, and pastels. Mitchell has been featured in numerous publications including the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, American Artist, Artist Magazine, Fine Art International, and Art News.

Mitchell’s work, Power and Light, is on display in the Katz Gallery until April 12. Gallery visits outside of the reception time are by appointment only. To make an appointment, contact faculty member and alum Erin Hall ’98 (ehall@friendsbalt.org).

This visit and exhibit was made possible by The Class of 1989 Visiting Scholars Program and the Fay Karfgin ’59 Annual Art Lecture fund.

Alum Emilia Halvorsen Saporiti ’15 and No-No Boy Visit Friends & NYC

Emilia Halvorsen Saporiti ’15 is a current law student at Lewis & Clark Law School. However, outside of school, she is a musician with No-No Boy as a harmony singer, keys player, and music video director, and is co-producer of their most recent album Empire Electric, released last September by the Smithsonian Folkways label.

No-No Boy is an immersive concert experience that illuminates hidden Asian American histories through folk songs, sound pieces, live projections, and storytelling. NPR Music has hailed it as “one of the most insurgent pieces of music you’ll ever hear which re-examines Americana with devastating effect… An act of revisionist subversion.” Nashville-born songwriter and scholar, and Emilia’s spouse, Julian Saporiti, takes inspiration from his own family’s history living through the Vietnam War as well as many other stories of Asian American experiences. He has transformed his years of doctoral study into an innovative project that bridges a divide between art and scholarship.

No-No Boy will perform for students during an Upper School Collection in March. If you’re interested in seeing Emilia and Julian, they will be playing at Joe’s Pub in New York City on March 29. More information can be found here.

Alum and 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient, Philip J. Merrill ’81, Presents "Baltimore and the Civil Rights Movement" in Conversation with Dana P. Moore on April 3

Philip J. Merrill ’81 is the CEO & Founder of Nanny Jack & Company LLC, an African American heritage consulting business. He served eight seasons as a Chesapeake Collectibles appraiser on PBS Maryland Public Television (MPT) and six seasons as a PBS Antiques Roadshow appraiser of Black Americana. In 2013, his oral history was archived in the Library of Congress and in 2021, he received the Baltimore City Historical Society’s History Honors Award. Philip is a historian and author, as well as the owner of an extensive collection of rare African American material culture which he exhibits widely and uses to lecture extensively to emphasize the historic accomplishments and contributions of African Americans. In 2022, he co-hosted an Upper School course, Artifactual History, with Upper School History teacher and fellow alum, Molly Smith ’82.

Philip will be speaking at Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse (3128 Greenmount Ave, Baltimore, MD 21218) on Wednesday, April 3 at 7:00pm. All are welcome to attend, click here for more information and to RSVP.

The Friends School Parents Association Invites you to Night Out With Friends: Celebrate Baltimore! on April 13

The FSPA invites you to their signature springtime fundraiser event, Night Out with Friends. This year’s theme is “Celebrate Baltimore!” The evening will include a silent and live auction featuring items from around Baltimore, Friends students’ original artwork, a host of trips, and unique experiences. Join them in the Penguin Room at Whitehall Mill in Hampden; tickets and more information may be found here.

If you are interested in Sponsorship opportunities, please click here for additional information.

All money raised goes to the Friends School Wish List.

Are you doing something exciting or interesting? Let us know so we can feature you in the newsletter! - alumni@friendsbalt.org

FSB Latest News

Engage with Friends

Support Friends School with a Gift to The Fund for Friends

For nearly 300 years, Friends School has been providing a vigorous Quaker education that is built on a framework of academic excellence. When students graduate from Friends they have a foundation of learning that prepares them to lead meaningful and productive lives.

This exceptional student experience is made possible, in part, by the generosity of alumni, parents, parents of graduates, grandparents and friends. Simply put, the journey of each of our students is enhanced by your gift.

Click here to learn about ways you can support Friends through giving.

Connect with Us On Social Media

FSB Alumni Facebook
FSB Facebook
FSB Instagram
FSB LinkedIn
FSB YouTube

For additional information, ongoing volunteer opportunities or to get involved, please contact the Alumni Office: alumni@friendsbalt.org or 410-649-3205.

From the Office of Alumni Relations & Engagement

Alumni News: January 2024

Hello! For those of you who I do not know, my name is Sophia Springer (that's me in the Friends sweatshirt) and I am the new Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement at Friends.

Before I jump into my story, I want to ask you a question:
What does it mean to you to be a Friends School Alum?

While I don’t need an answer, I’d love to hear from those who would like to share.

Okay, on to me now… I am a Friends School alum myself, Class of 2013. I came to Friends my freshman year of high school. Like many students, I was involved in quite a bit: I played soccer, softball, and eventually basketball. I became an Art Major student for 11th and 12th grade. I was a peer educator, participated in several clubs, was selected as a FSAA Senior representative, and more. All on top of the rigorous academics that Friends provides.

After Friends, I spent four years abroad at Franklin University Switzerland studying International Management. I then went on to work in the wine industry managing marketing for a global auction house based in Chicago. Most recently, I was working in New York City as an assistant wine buyer. I decided I wanted a change, so here I am back at Friends!

Being in my role at Friends means I have the opportunity to learn about you, fellow alumni. I also have the fortune of helping bring the Friends community, current and past, together. This means I have to understand what it means to you to be a Friends School alum (remember that question I posed…).

I hope in the next couple of months to engage with various alumni groups and start to hear your perspective on being an alum. Whether it’s hosting alumni on campus for an activity or organizing a social in your city, I hope to learn more about the larger alumni network we have.

I invite you to help me with that effort as well! If you are on campus, drop by the Development Office and say hello. If you have been looking for a way to be more involved with the Friends community, join the Alumni Association Board. If you are looking for a connection in a certain area but do not know where to start, let’s chat and see how the Friends network can assist. Share your business updates and connect with me on LinkedIn (I'm looking for alumni to spotlight in upcoming newsletters)!

Send me an email, give me a ring, come visit. I would love the opportunity to meet you and learn what it means to you to be a Friends School alum.

Sophia Springer '13
Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement

(PS I promise future newsletters won’t be as lengthy!)

Alumni Weekend | May 2–5, 2024

We are excited to welcome the classes ending in 4 and 9 back to campus to celebrate their reunions! Make sure to:

• View the Alumni Weekend schedule here.
• Update your information with the Alumni Office here.
• Nominate classmates for Alumni Awards and the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Volunteer for your Reunion Committee! As we inch closer to Alumni Weekend we are looking for volunteers to join the Reunion Committee. The committee members support engagement, outreach, event planning and/or fundraising efforts. If you are interested in participating or have questions about the committee, please email alumni@friendsbalt.org.

Alumni Happenings and News

First Year College Alumni Speak with Class of 2025

On January 5, the Alumni and College Counselling Offices welcomed five young alumni from the Class of 2023 on campus to speak with current 11th graders about their college search process and to provide a glimpse into their first semester college experience. The Juniors were attentive and engaged, asking questions about the essay process, financial aid, campus life, and of course not skipping a beat to find out about the college dining scene!

Thank you to Oluchi (Brown University), Joey (Amherst College), Ben (The College of Wooster), Lex (Stanford University), and Divine (UCLA) for taking the time out of their winter breaks to share their experience with the Class of 2025!

Russian 5 Class Hosted 5th Annual Russian Style Old New Year’s Party

On January 6, the Russian 5 class and Lee Roby hosted an Old New Year’s Party for alumni of the Russian program. The students made traditional dishes and greeted alumni with holiday cheer.

This year, the group honored Zita Dabars, beloved Upper School Russian teacher from 1975-1997, who passed away in November 2021. Zita began the Old New Year’s party tradition for friends of the Russian program many years ago and the Russian program alumni continue it today!

20th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

On a snowy January 15th, the Friends community came together to host its 20th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Volunteers participated in 16 different activities organized by the Friends School Parents Association. Several members of the Alumni Association Board participated in the Baltimore Hunger Project activity, creating 100 snack packs for students in the community experiencing food insecurity.

Award to be Presented at Saturn Awards Ceremony in Honor of the Late Lance Reddick ’80

Lance Reddick ’80 rose to international acclaim as Lieutenant Cedric Daniels in The Wire, Police Chief Irvin Irving in Bosch, General Caulfield in White House Down, Matthew Abaddon in Lost, and most recently as Charon in the John Wick movie franchise. In his honor, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films has announced the inaugural Lance Reddick Legacy Award. It will be awarded “to those with talent, good character, and who serve as a ‘true goodwill ambassador’.” This year’s award will be received by co-star Keanu Reeves, a tribute to the resounding legacy Reddick left in Hollywood. Read Deadline's full article here.

Northwestern University Honoring the Late Lurell Stanley Davis ’70 With Musical Tribute

After Friends, L. Stanley Davis ’70 went on to attend Northwestern University and become one of the co-founders of the Northwestern Community Ensemble (NCE), their premiere and only Gospel choir on campus. In honor of Stanley's contributions to NCE, Northwestern, and the national Gospel music indusry, the University will host a musical experience "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing: A Musical Tribute to L. Stanley Davis," on Sunday, February 18, 2024 in Chicago that will honor the Black Gospel music tradition. Friends School alumni are invited to attend, please contact the Alumni Office for additional information.

Are you doing something exciting or interesting? Let us know so we can feature you in the newsletter! - alumni@friendsbalt.org

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Engage with Friends

Join the FSB Alumni Association Board

Serve as a member of the Board and represent the greater Friends School alumni population. Email alumni@friendsbalt.org if you are interested in learning more.

Become Class Secretary

We are currently looking for secretaries for the following classes: 1979, 1994, 2009, 2019. See the full list of Class Secretaries and openings here.

Spend the Summer at Friends

Registration is now open for our popular day camp, Summer at Friends. Camps are available for ages 4 to 13. Imagine spending summer days enjoying Sports Camp on Deering Field or on stage in the Forbush Auditorium. With more than a dozen camps to choose from, there’s bound to be a whole lot of summer fun! We encourage you to register early as spaces are filling quickly.

Looking for a summer job? Come back to campus! Summer at Friends is hiring seasonal staff for Summer 2024. Available positions include special area teachers (art, science, music), coaches, swim staff (lifeguards, water safety instructors, pool ops), nurses, and group staff (head and assistant counselors).

Find out more on our website.

Athletic Coaches Needed

We are hiring coaches for Spring and Fall Athletics. To learn more and apply, email athletics@friendsbalt.org. 

Help us reach our $2M goal! Give to The Fund for Friends

Philanthropy is the key to a robust and resilient community. Your gift to The Fund for Friends is an immediate way to support important initiatives for students and faculty this year. Friends relies on gifts from alumni, like us, to ensure it has the resources to provide the most impactful programs for our students.

Connect with Us On Social Media

FSB Alumni Facebook
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FSB Instagram
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For additional information, ongoing volunteer opportunities or to get involved, please contact the Alumni Office: alumni@friendsbalt.org or 410-649-3205.