Collegiate Faculty and Staff Return

8/21/2018

A newly renovated Oates Theater served as the setting for the annual All School Opening Meeting today for Collegiate School faculty and staff, led by Head of School Steve Hickman.

Mr. Hickman, who enters his final year as Head of School before retiring, welcomed 360 faculty and staff members, including 33 new community members, to the 2018-19 school year — the 104th year of Collegiate. He then introduced Board Chair Frank Mountcastle III ‘83, who shared some thoughts.

“The time and energy each of you expend for our students … is commendable. It is impactful and makes a difference. Collectively, all of you are the carriers of our infectious school culture, and you do it so well.”

Mr. Mountcastle shared with the faculty and staff several strategic initiatives being advanced by the Board in the coming years, and noted that while Mr. Hickman will be retiring, those goals will move forward.

“We are undergoing a people transition, not a transition away from our mission and values as a School.”

He also expressed the Board’s confidence in Mr. Hickman’s final year of leadership at Collegiate, noting that one of Mr. Hickman’s signature tenets is that how one finishes something matters.

“Steve will continue to be a great leader for Collegiate all the way to the finish line... . (He) is the embodiment of leading by example,” Mr. Mountcastle said. “The Board will focus on ensuring that Steve finishes strong and that (incoming Head of School) Penny (Evins) starts strong.”

Mr. Hickman followed Mr. Mountcastle in addressing the faculty and staff and issued a wish that the energy and excitement filling the air upon the teachers’ return to school this morning could be bottled and available for use throughout the year.

In lieu of that possibility, he asked those present to consider entering the year practicing radical hospitality, modeling civility and striving together to do our collective best.

Before faculty and staff mentors introduced the new Collegiate community members, Mr. Hickman acknowledged the following faculty and staff members with 10 years of service: Michael Carter, Sarah Cowles, Heide Knapik, Beth Kondorossy, Phyllis Palmiero, Lourdes Rodriguez, Zhangyi Shi, Anne Gray Siebert, Samuel Simpson, Andrew Slater and Carrie Thomas. As is tradition, each received his or her own Collegiate chair.

Mr. Hickman then acknowledged the faculty and staff members who were honored for 20 years of service at the end-of-year All School Meeting in June. Two who were absent at that time joined him on stage for acknowledgment today: Jadranka Lacic and Jasna Salamunic. Others honored in June were: Jill Aveson, Frank Becker, Jennifer Brost, Suzanne Lewis, Pam Sutherland, Connie Tuttle, Stojan Yerkic and Zrinka Yerkic.

Also today, Mary Arzt, Lee Bottoms, Arlean Johnson, Mil Norman-Risch and Allison Williams were honored for 30 years of service.

Mr. Hickman then recognized the following five faculty members with awards for their dedication and passion:

Neil Etheridge received the 2018 Class of 1977 Anne Jones Staff Award:
Rob Wedge received the 2018 Andrew Jackson Brent Award.
Ruth Webb received the 2018 Craigie Endowment for Teaching Excellence Award.
David Bannard received The 2018 Ann Griffin Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Katie Taylor received The 2018 Martha Elizabeth Schwarz Award.

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