Updates from Jo-Ann Lovejoy
Director of Alumni Advancement
January 29, 2021
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Connections and Communications
This year we have focused much of our work on communicating with you more frequently and in more creative ways. We have launched the Alumni Trustee New Donor Challenge and are grateful to those who have JUMPED BACK IN. We have also announced the 2020-2021 Reunion Challenge and are looking forward to the spirited competition and shattering of reunion records! Read more below...
Additionally, I hope you have received your 2019-2020 Annual Report and the 2020 Fall Academy Journal. Both publications demonstrate and embody the work of many minds and hands for which I am personally grateful. Of course, the contents of each of these publications are brought to us by each of you; your inspired philanthropy and your life stories are the foundation of our community publications. Thank you. Where would we be without you?
We enhanced our reporting in the Annual Report to share a broader picture of what matters to our community. We are absolutely thrilled to be hearing more about your lives with your wonderful written and visual submissions to alumni class notes! Please keep them coming...
The quiet moments that come with winter's onset (at least in some parts of the world) allow for contemplation and reflection as the snow piles up outside our door. As such, I invite you to share — for publication in the 2021 Spring Academy Journal — what you are up to; where you might be working; how you are spending your time; a recent virtual gathering with other alums; and what may matter most to you this year. Photos are welcome, too, as is any milestone event news that may have recently happened in your life.
“A few sentences, a paragraph, a photo, they are all welcome!”
As always, thank you for helping to make LA a stronger community with your thoughtful care of each other. And thanks also for including us in your lives in the many ways you do.
Sincerely,
Jo-Ann Lovejoy P’06,’08,’10
Director of Alumni Advancement
Mobile: 978-505-9261
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Celebrating Luke Rogers ’09 Meaningful Meandering
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On Tuesday, January 26th, Lawrence Academy and over 190 friends, family, and classmates celebrated the one wild and precious life of Luke Rogers ’09 with the virtual opening of Meaningful Meandering, the current exhibit in the Conant Gallery featuring Luke’s inspired photography from the African continent. Luke passed away of natural causes just over one year ago, and his life and memory were honored on Tuesday evening in ways that would have made Luke’s eyes twinkle, and his laughter echo louder.
With welcome remarks from Jo-Ann Lovejoy, Director of Alumni Advancement, and Head of School, Dan Scheibe, Luke’s parents, Laura Johnson and Tooey Rogers shared a poignant and lovingly-created short film, which captured the essence of their son and his life. Narrated by friends, family, and Luke’s classmates, spanning his academic lives at Fenn, LA, and UVM, the film was a gift to those assembled and a reminder to us all that there are those we meet in life who have the power to impact so many in such a short time; Luke was such a person.
Luke’s parents have indicated that Luke’s photos will be offered for sale with proceeds directed to wildlife conservation in Africa in Luke’s memory. We are grateful to Laura and Tooey for the opportunity to share Luke’s exhibit with the LA community.
Meaningful Meandering is on display in the Conant Gallery through March 5 and indefinitely, online...
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Lawrence Academy
Alumni Speaker Series
Featuring Chris Dickson ’08
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On January 21st, 20 participants joined the third Lawrence Academy Alumni Speaker Series presentation featuring Chris Dickson ’08. Dickson, who is currently working as a back-country ski and rock climbing guide in Telluride, Colorado, is a native of Bolton, Mass. A member of a long line of Spartan alumni (grandfather George Dickson ’43, father Rich Dickson ’77, mother Penny Carroll Dickson ’78, aunt Pamela Dickson Jackson ’79, sister Ashley Dickson ’03, and cousin Matt Egan ’06), Chris’ New England upbringing emphasized the outdoors — he even built ski jumps in his backyard! — and this passion was further developed at LA during his sophomore Winterim experience, “Rockin’ Ice.”
Heavily involved as a student, Chris felt “burned out” by the end of his LA career. Joe Sheppard encouraged Chris to take a gap year before enrolling at Colorado College. This that year, Chris attended a National Outdoor Leadership School program that deepened his passion for the mountain wilderness. While an undergraduate, he actively pursued his interests in skiing, rock climbing, hiking, and leadership, eventually becoming a student leader of wilderness trips for fellow students and then continued in an administrative role there after graduating. As Chris pursued more adventures and expanded his role in guiding others, he continued to seek expert training to help him develop the soft and hard skills required to lead others on potentially dangerous expeditions.
The highlight of his recent program was Chris’ sharing of the "Key Lessons Learned" he has learned in his role:
- "Risk is the spice of life, but all things in moderation – build margins of safety to protect yourself from all that you don’t know."
- "You can’t control what happens – only how you react to it."
- "Mute your ego with mindfulness – be in tune with all of the information you are getting rather than blindly drive toward a goal."
- And...
“Integrate passion into your everyday life – every day is a new opportunity to find/pursue your passion.”
Chris’ insightful and thoughtful presentation provided beneficial insights whether you are going for a walk in your hometown or venturing into the Grand Tetons.
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Celebrating
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Lawrence Academy community celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by spending Monday, January 18th, conducting A Listening Workshop for students and faculty facilitated by Essential Partners. The purpose of this Listening Workshop was as follows:
This Listening Workshop invites students to engage with others, and themselves, as multifaceted and pluralistic human beings from the starting point of listening--and aims to demonstrate what becomes possible in conversations when we adjust the way we listen.
The workshop involved an opening connecting activity, followed by three listening exercises, concluding with a final reflection. The three listening exercises centered around: Questions of Persuasion/Understanding; Full Spectrum Listening; and The Hope Within the Complaint. During the final reflection, participants were asked to reflect on the following quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“The ultimate measure of humanity is not where we stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where we stand at times of challenge and controversy. The true neighbor will risk position, prestige, and even life for the welfare of others.”
Participants came away from the workshop with: a greater appreciation for the importance of listening; learning some skills on how to listen for action, emotion, and value when someone is speaking; and learning the skill of listening for the hope within someone’s complaint.
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On Tuesday, January 19th, the Lawrence Academy community had the great privilege of hearing directly from Anthony Ray Hinton, author of the book, The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row. In a riveting, emotional presentation, Mr. Hinton shared the experiences he endured leading up to and throughout being incarcerated for 30 years for a crime he did not commit. He shared how he persevered by relying on his imagination, an unwillingness to quit, and an enduring belief in hope and love. Following his presentation, Mr. Hinton fielded some questions from Ms. Majeski’s senior English class for about 30 minutes, which provided an incredible opportunity for open and honest dialogue with Mr. Hinton.
Lawrence Academy’s Moral Courage Task Force will be continuing to hold conversations about these events and other topics relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion at Lawrence Academy and throughout society through the remainder of the school year.
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Don't Be Left Out: Jump Back In! |
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The Alumni Trustee New Donor Challenge: December 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021
Challenge: To secure and advance the future of Lawrence Academy and to expand the base of alumni support, the LA Alumni Trustees have pledged to make a one-time challenge gift of $25,000 (or more) to support LA Financial Aid if they are joined by 520 new alumni donors by the end of this fiscal year.
Last year, 520 alumni chose to support Lawrence Academy, resulting in a participation rate of 10%. The Alumni Trustee New-Donor Challenge boldly inspires us to double our donors and double our participation – LA–2X!
Learn more about the challenge here and consider the role that you can play with your own participation to help unlock $25,000 to support financial aid. The minimum gift is $17.93.
Thanks so much for your consideration!
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As we plan for the 2020 - 2021 LA Reunion Weekend scheduled for June 11-12, 2021, the LA Alumni Advancement Team is excited to provide some fun and friendly competition among the LA – 2X Reunion Classes. Since we had to cancel the 2020 LA Reunion Weekend, there will be two simultaneous challenges occurring – one for all 2020 LA Reunion Classes ending in 0’s & 5’s and one for all 2021 LA Reunion Classes ending in 1’s & 6’s. We have created two distinct landing pages for the 2020-2021 LA Reunion Challenge so you can track how your class is performing in each of the five categories.
Below are the links:
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The 2020 - 2021 LA Reunion Challenge and Associated Prizes are as follows...
Challenge One
- The largest amount of total dollars raised by a reunion class during the current fiscal year
- Prize: Class year is engraved on the inaugural silver LA REUNION GIVING CUP
Challenge Two
- The greatest number of classmates returning for Reunion Weekend
- Prize: Each classmate will receive bragging rights and a custom embroidered LA Reunion Weekend baseball cap
Challenge Three
- The greatest number of individual donors in a reunion class during the current fiscal year
- Prize: Members of the class will enjoy an exclusive meal of paella and Spanish wines on-campus Friday evening
Challenge Four
- The highest percentage of first-time donors or lapsed donors to LA in a reunion class during the current fiscal year.
- Prize: The class will enjoy a champagne toast, and each will receive an engraved LA champagne flute at their class party.
Challenge Five
- The largest number of unique class notes for FY21 submitted for the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Academy Journal
- Prize: Each classmate will receive a gift card to the LA school store to purchase LA swag
We are looking forward to a fun and interesting challenge and to shattering records for all classes!
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Alumni Topics
The Elm Tree Gazette | Volume VIII | January 2021
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