CAMPAIGN NEWS
Save the Date: March 6 is Milton’s Giving Day
On March 6, our community will come together for 24 hours of giving to celebrate and support the people, opportunities, and events that cultivate connections for students inside and outside the classroom. Thanks to our generous challenger, Claire Hughes Johnson ’90 P ’24 ’27, when 1,000 people donate on Giving Day this year, we’ll unlock $100K for the Milton Fund! Save the date and learn more at https://give.milton.edu/giving-day-2024.
Celebrating 40 Years of Girls’ Ice Hockey
Earlier this month, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Milton’s Girl’s Ice Hockey program. The weekend kicked off with a Friday night match vs. BB&N, and many alumnae and family members were there to cheer on the Mustangs. Then, on Saturday, our alumnae laced up their skates to participate in an alumnae and current players scrimmage. The weekend also included a family skate and alumnae reception. Thank you to all of our Girls’ Ice Hockey alumnae who joined us to celebrate this wonderful program and milestone. To view and share photos, videos, and memories from the weekend, click here.
A Change of 💗 for Tony Dior Gaenslen ’59
Tony Dior Gaenslen ’59 entered Milton Academy as a self-described “shy” and “nerdy” kid, the Texas-born son of a politically conservative family. He was so enamored of Robert E. Lee that he wrote his senior history paper describing him as the greatest general of the Civil War and a man of unimpeachable character… But after a profound transformation during his senior year at Milton, Gaenslen has spent his life as a passionate advocate for civil rights. Read more.
New Role Announced for Upper School Principal Dr. Monica Benton Palmer in 2024-2025 Academic Year
Head of School Dr. Alixe Callen announced that Upper School principal Dr. Monica Benton Palmer has accepted a new role for the coming 2024-25 Academic Year. Effective July 1, Dr. Palmer will join the Office of Development and Alumni Relations in her new role as Director of Special Philanthropic and Strategic Gifts. This transition leverages Dr. Palmer’s expertise in independent school leadership, her experience as a fundraiser, and her deep pride in Milton and its community. Dr. Palmer will remain as the US principal through June 30 and the school is already moving quickly to launch a national search to identify Dr. Palmer’s successor with the goal of having the new Upper School principal in place by July 1, 2024, well before the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. Read more.
A Celebration of Music Honoring Margaret Filoon Robertson ’56
On February 2, the Milton Academy Music Department hosted the Margaret (Peggy) Filoon Robertson ’56 Concert in the Apthorp Chapel. This year’s concert featured a repertoire ranging from baroque to contemporary and showcased student-led instrumental groups, soloists, and a chorus of Milton Academy students, faculty, staff, and friends. It was an evening of beautiful and inspiring performances. Read more and watch the recording
Jason Bowen ’00 to Speak at 2024 Graduation
This year’s Graduation speaker is actor and educator Jason Bowen, Milton Academy Class of 2000. Born and raised in Boston, Bowen has performed on Broadway, television, and film. Bowen’s notable and previous credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (Broadway), Law & Order: SVU (NBC), Blue Bloods (CBS), The Upside (STX/Amazon), and Mother/Android (Miramax/Hulu). In 2012, Boston Magazine awarded Bowen “Best Actor” honors in its annual “Best of Boston” issue. Read more.
Join Our LinkedIn Community
Looking to connect with fellow alumni? Have an exciting professional development to share? Join our Milton Academy Alumni group on LinkedIn to network with classmates and grow your professional connections.
Scaling People: Tactics for Management and Company Building
In 2014, Claire Hughes Johnson ’90 P ’24 ’27 left Google to become chief operating officer at a much smaller company, Stripe, which at the time had 160 employees and tens of millions of dollars in revenue. Now the company, which focuses on online commerce infrastructure, has more than 7,000 employees and billions in revenue. In her new book, which has appeared on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list, she provides insights “for company builders who value creating a long-term legacy and share a people-oriented viewpoint on the work they’re doing.” Read more.
Update Your Contact Information
The best way to stay connected to Milton and be sure you receive news and invitations to our featured events is to keep your contact information current. Update your contact information today at www.milton.edu/update.
Don’t Forget to Invest in Milton This December
A gift to the Milton Fund, our school’s unrestricted current-use fund, is the simplest and most direct way to support Milton’s students and faculty. As the calendar year draws to a close, please make your Milton Fund gift to ensure the school can continue delivering engaging experiential and interdisciplinary learning opportunities, dynamic studio and performing arts programs, and formative extracurricular activities. Please do your part to support our Milton community during this season of giving, and make your Milton Fund gift today at www.milton.edu/donate.
The Changing Landscape in College Admissions
Laurén Carter, a noted author and college admissions expert, became Milton’s new dean of college counseling in July. Carter, who comes to Milton from the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., has decades’ worth of experience in independent school college guidance and university admissions. Her book, Mindful Admissions: An Insider’s Guide to Staying Sane, Applying Well, and Getting Accepted to College, provides students and families with practical advice for navigating the complicated admissions process. Carter joined Milton Magazine for a conversation this summer. Read more.
Support Milton Community Members
This holiday season, support fellow Milton Academy community members by browsing our Grads Gift Guide! We’re pleased to share gift ideas offered by Milton entrepreneurs, ranging from food and beverages to apparel and services. View the full gift guide at https://www.milton.edu/graduates/grads-gift-guide.
Spring Events Preview
This spring will feature several virtual and in-person events, including Milton in California, Florida, and Asia; the DEIJ Speaker Series featuring Farah Pandith ’86 and Llew Smith ’72; a Transitions Program Reunion: Celebrating 40 Years; Milton Night Out: Bowery Bar and Patio; and more. Stay tuned and visit our Upcoming Events calendar at www.milton.edu/graduates/events-calendar for more.
The Metalworkers: Robert Poole, His Ironworks, and Technology in 19th-Century America (Steven C. Swett ’52)
By the mid-19th century, iron had become an integral part of the American economy, used in ships, railroads, factory machinery, and tall buildings. A major supplier of that material at the time was Robert Poole, a self-taught machinist-engineer whose company in Maryland provided iron for private industry and the U.S. government, most notably for the columns that surround the dome of the U.S. Capitol Building. Poole was also the great-great-grandfather of Steven Swett ’52, who tells the story of his relative and his enterprise, including the workers and the mechanisms they mastered. Read more.
Call for Alumni Affinity Space Members
Sign up today to find connection, support, and inspiration in one of Milton Academy’s alumni affinity spaces: Alums of Color, APIDA Alums, Black Alums, Jewish Alums, LatinX Alums, LGBTQ+ Alums, Muslim Alums, and White-Identifying Alums. Please note that this list is not comprehensive. Join a Milton alumni affinity space today! And if you would like to volunteer to co-facilitate an alumni affinity space, please indicate your interest here.
Milton-Nobles Day
We were thrilled to host Milton-Nobles Day back on Centre Street this fall! Celebrations kicked off with an exciting pep rally on Thursday, November 9, with the entire K–12 Milton community. Then, on Saturday, November 11, we welcomed alumni, families, and friends to campus to cheer on the Mustangs! Game highlights included 1st Boys’ Soccer and 1st Volleyball finishing the regular season as Independent School League champs! A special shout-out to all of our alumni who participated in the men’s alumni soccer games (both were Milton wins!). For all of the games’ scores, click here. To view photos from the day, click here.
A Teacher First
Alixe Callen ’88 can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to be a teacher. “Literally back to kindergarten, I knew that I would spend my life as an educator,” Callen said in an interview shortly after becoming Milton Academy’s 13th head of school. “As my life unfolded, I always knew deep inside that is what I would do.” Read more.
Call for Class Notes
Getting together with Milton friends over Thanksgiving week? We love to see Milton meetups! Reunion-year alum Jeff Marr ’04 returned to campus in October during Mustangs Care Month to speak to students about the importance of giving back. Class of 2004 classmates Josh Krieger, Elizabeth “Liz” (Berylson) Katz, and Ilana (Sclar) Krieger (LtR in photo) all came to the assembly to show their support for Jeff. Share your reunions and get-togethers with us by submitting a class note at https://forms.gle/woy3jPTNBngLQ3cRA. The deadline to be included in the spring 2024 edition of Milton Magazine is Friday, December 1.
How to Succeed in Hollywood (While Really Trying)
“It’s funny to say that a hashtag changed my life. But it’s true. A hashtag really did change my life,” says the Los Angeles-based screenwriter William Yu ’09. Yu made some waves in the Twitter world in 2016 when he launched an awareness campaign using the hashtag #StarringJohnCho. “It was a time when a lot of fraught conversations were taking place about Asian representation [or the lack thereof] in the entertainment industry,” he says. Read more.
Volunteer Opportunity: Affinity Space Co-Facilitators
Step forward and lead with us! Milton Academy alumni affinity spaces represent a mosaic of identities, including gender, ability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, and race, and we’re seeking alumni volunteers to serve as co-facilitators to guide their conversations. As a co-facilitator, you will serve as the liaison between Milton Academy and space participants. Milton provides co-facilitators with training and support, as well as administrative assistance. For more information or to express interest, please complete this form.
The Art and Science of Group Work
Group work. Its mere mention is enough to prompt dread in even the most dedicated students and anxiety dreams for those long out of school. Entire Buzzfeed posts are devoted to bemoaning group assignments, and memes regularly circulate about group members who take on all the work or ride others’ coattails to improve grades. Adults compare collective job tasks to the nightmarish group projects of their academic pasts. The consensus about group projects is that, well, they stink. Read more.
Boston Alumni and Parents Reception
On the evening of October 12, we welcomed generous donors, alumni, and parents into the newly renovated Wigglesworth Hall, home of the William C. Cox Library. Trustee Yeng Butler ’92 P ’25 ’33 captured the essence of the night, remarking that it was not just a milestone for unveiling the new Cox Library, but also a heartfelt gathering where Milton’s extended family came together to warmly welcome our new Head of School Dr. Alixe Callen ’88. This unforgettable celebration was filled with genuine connections across generations and shared excitement for Milton’s future. To view photos from the event, click here.
Board of Trustees’ Charge to Head of School Dr. Alixe Callen ’88
Dr. Alixe Callen ’88 has begun her tenure as Milton’s 13th head of school! In a message to the community, Board of Trustees President Claire Hughes Johnson ’90 P ’24 ’27 shared that “the Board of Trustees seeks to align with the head of school on her priorities and also to perform our primary role—which is to partner with her as the leader of the institution—by offering guidance and support as we ultimately hold her accountable for achieving the school’s goals.” Read more.
Full Circle
In 1971, Rod Skinner ’72 was among the Milton students who carried the school’s book collection from Straus Library across Centre Street to the brand-new William Coburn Cox Library. Recently, Skinner helped move the final few books back across the street as Cox Library moved to Wigglesworth Hall. The new library takes up two light-filled levels and includes many comfortable spots to study. Come see it for yourself at the Boston Alumni and Parents Reception on October 12! Register here.
Save The Date for Reunion 2024
Calling all class years ending in 4 and 9! Mark your calendar. Connect with friends. Make your next Milton memory by joining us Friday, June 14–Saturday, June 15! Details and registration information to follow. In the meantime, check out your class page to connect with fellow alumni, join your class committee, and make a gift in honor of your reunion year. Learn more at www.milton.edu/reunion.
Volunteer Opportunity: Affinity Space Co-Facilitators
We are currently seeking alumni volunteers to serve as co-facilitators in our alumni affinity spaces. As a co-facilitator, you will serve as a liaison between Milton Academy and space participants. You and your co-facilitator(s) schedule, plan, and execute affinity space meetings, set the goals for your space, and plan one community program annually. For more information or to express interest, please complete this form.
The ninety-third Gratwick concert
The ninety-third Gratwick concert took place on Thursday, September 14. The Gratwick Concert Fund was established by Dr. Mitchell Gratwick in memory of his wife, Katharine Perkins Gratwick. She was a cellist and graduate of the Class of 1924.Through Dr. Gratwick’s generosity, and the lasting generosity of his family, thousands of Milton students have benefited from world-class performances. This year, we were thrilled to welcome pianist Clayton Stephenson. In addition to being the first Black finalist at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022, he was named the 2022 Gilmore Young Artist and the 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Clayton gave a beautiful performance and stayed well after the concert to engage with students and members of the Milton community. Click here to watch the recording of the concert.
Coming Soon to Your Inbox
Exciting news! We’re streamlining our communications to keep you updated without overwhelming your inbox. Look out for our new biweekly email, Engage@Milton, where you’ll find upcoming event details and more. Stay connected with us at https://www.milton.edu/graduates/events-calendar.
2022–2023 Donor and Volunteer Impact Report
For 225 years, Milton Academy has fostered critical thinkers and changemakers, all under the guidance of world-class faculty and staff. Thanks to donors investing in Milton, we will continue to do so for years to come. We are excited to share with you some of the many stories that illustrate the tangible difference made by those who give back to Milton. Please visit www.milton.edu/impact today to learn more.
Update Your Contact Information
The best way to stay connected to Milton and be sure you receive news and invitations to our featured events is to keep your contact information current. Update your contact information today at https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1769091/1741325.
Fall Events Preview
This fall will feature several virtual and in-person events, including Milton-Nobles Day at Milton, receptions in New York and Boston, Milton Night Out: Boston Bowl, a live stream of the 93rd Gratwick Concert, and much more. Stay tuned and visit our Upcoming Events calendar at www.milton.edu/graduates/events-calendar for more details and information.
Register Now to Join Milton Academy on Cape Cod
Join Milton on August 26 for a captivating journey through the breathtaking Heritage Museums and Gardens. Stay on site after your tour for a boxed picnic lunch, adding a touch of deliciousness to our day of enchantment. Discounted tickets are available to 1798 Circle members and Forbes Goodwin Society members. Register today!
Advancement Year in Review
2022–2023 was an exciting year for Milton. The incredible generosity of 3,074 alumni, parents, students, and friends provided more than $12.6 million in support for Milton Academy. Together, our community contributed an incredible $6.1 million to the Milton Fund to meet the school’s most pressing needs, strengthened Milton’s endowment, and ensured the future of Milton through planned gifts. Milton also hosted many in-person events, with gatherings on campus, across the country, and in Hong Kong, which were attended by more than 700 alumni, parents, and friends. Local events included bowling, dumpling making, and more. Virtual events included a DEIJ Speaker Series, Math at Milton programming, networking and professional development opportunities, and more.
The Results Are In
Thank you to the 536 generous donors who made a Milton Fund gift and shared wonderful memories on our shout-out board during the Shout-Out to Todd Challenge this June. Because of your support, the Milton Fund earned $75,000 from our generous anonymous challenger! Take a moment to see Todd shout his kindness as only he can in this video.
Celebrating Our Board of Trustees
Milton recently had the chance to celebrate the contributions of four Board of Trustees members whose terms have come to an end: Douglas Crocker II ’58, Eleanor “Tabi” Haller-Jorden ’75 P ’09, Elizabeth B. Katz ’04, William A. Knowlton P ’23, and Sylvia Westphal P ’18 ’21 ’25 ’27 ’27. We will forever be grateful and benefit from their leadership. We also are thrilled to welcome David Cappillo P ’20 ’24 ’26, Lamont Gordon ’87, Dr. Rana el Kaliouby P ’21 ’27, and Molly King to the Board. We look forward to the Milton of the future thanks to our incredible leadership!
Reunion: Highlights from 2023 and Save the Date for 2024
On Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, 521 graduates and guests joined us for an unforgettable weekend! The weather may not have always cooperated, but it did not put a damper on our spirits. Please take a few moments to visit www.milton.edu/reunion to relive some of the most memorable moments and to view photos and session recordings. To see a list of community members whose lives were celebrated during this year’s Memorial Service, visit www.milton.edu/in-memoriam. Classes ending in 4s and 9s, mark your calendars for Reunion 2024: Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15, 2024!
Head of School Leaves Lasting Imprint
Todd Bland’s successful tenure as Milton’s head of school is the result of a unique blend of talents, says former Board of Trustees President Lisa Donohue ’83. I still remember the moment as if it were yesterday. Spring of 2008, and I was a new trustee at Milton Academy, participating in my first official vote. But it wasn’t just any vote, it was a vote to appoint a new head of school. Heady stuff, so to speak. No small amount of pressure to make the right decision. When it was over, Todd Bland was appointed as the 12th head of school in the school’s history. Read more.
Register today for Milton at Tanglewood on July 30
Harmonious notes await! Register today to attend Milton at Tanglewood Music Festival on July 30. Join us for lunch hosted by former trustee Dottie Weber ’60 P ’04 as you mix and mingle with the Milton community. Enjoy a performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the talented Anna Rakitina and accompanied by Joshua Bell on violin. Discounted tickets are available to 1798 Circle members. Register for the whole day, or if you already have tickets, make sure to register to join us for lunch at https://events.milton.edu/e/milton-at-tanglewood.
A Fresh Start for a Family Business
When the Sicilian-born Joseph DeLuca took over ownership of the Charles Street fruit and grocery store, in the 1930s, a gallon of milk cost about 32 cents and a loaf of bread 6 cents. Almost 100 years later, his great-nieces, Caroline Aiello ’98 and Victoria Aiello ’08, the market’s new owners, stand poised both to continue the grocery’s legacy as a mainstay in the neighborhood and to usher in a new era in a vastly changed world. Read more.
Volunteer with Milton
Alumni and parent volunteers serve as a vital resource for our students, build community for those who are no longer on campus, and support our annual fundraising activity. If you would like to explore ways to stay connected and give back to the Milton community in the upcoming year, please take a moment to complete this brief form to indicate your interests, and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss volunteer opportunities: https://forms.gle/yz9UhMwTXxrMNBDr6
John Avlon ’91 Delivered Commencement Address
One-hundred-ninety-two seniors received their Milton Academy diplomas during the school’s commencement exercises on June 9, 2023. Graduation at Milton is a ceremony that carries years of traditions and favorite rituals—formal and informal. One longstanding tradition of the ceremony is students electing their student speakers, which assures seniors that they will, at their last Milton gathering as students, hear from classmates they have chosen. This year’s student body elected Gracie Sagar and Arhan Singh. Delivering the commencement address was alumnus John Avlon, Milton Academy Class of 1991 (pictured). John is an author, journalist, and senior political analyst at CNN. Sharing quotes from artists, leaders, and authors across history, John encouraged the Class of 2023 to live with purpose and passion. Their legacy, he told them, has already begun. Read speeches, watch a video of the ceremony, and view photos from the day here.
Shout-Out to Todd Challenge
Milton’s academic and fiscal years are ending, and we are taking this moment to recognize Head of School Todd Bland’s 14 years of institution-wide improvement. Before Todd moves off Centre Street, you can show your appreciation for his leadership by participating in the Shout-Out to Todd Challenge with a gift to the Milton Fund by June 30. Just over two weeks remain to reach our 600-donor goal and earn a $100,000 challenge for the Milton Fund, so please participate today!
Dive Into Summer With Milton
Get ready to immerse yourself in the excitement that awaits as we embark on a series of summer adventures for our Milton community. Events include Milton Night Out: Red Sox Game, Milton at Tanglewood, Milton Family Gathering: Red Sox Game, and Milton on Cape Cod. Visit https://www.milton.edu/graduates/events-calendar to learn more about each event.
A Lasting Legacy
One of the first tributes came during a night filled with laughter. When “Dare to be Todd” flashed onstage before the final sketch of Wicked Sketchy, Milton’s irreverent annual comedy show, the packed audience might have expected some pointed jokes from the student performers at the expense of Head of School Todd B. Bland. Read More.
Seeking Equity In Sports
Olivia Greenaway ’22 fell in love with the game of squash in middle school after following her older sister into the sport. By the time she reached Milton’s Upper School, she was the only freshman to make it to the varsity team—and the only Black girl in the program—struggling both off and on the court. Read More.
Final Call for Class Notes
Time is running out to include your news in the fall issue of Milton Magazine. Share your accomplishments and life updates with your Milton family. Submit your class note by Tuesday, June 20, at https://forms.gle/4NHrztmPtjPpGq6n6.
Pictured: Lily Choi ’10, Nana Amoh ’09, Kevin Collins ’10, Stephanie Harris ’10, Melissa Santos ’10, Christopher Howard, Nia Patton ’10, Arya Kashyap ’10, Grace McDonough ’10, Sabrina Katz ’10 celebrating the marriage of Melissa Santos ’10 to Christopher Howard on July 1, 2022, at a lovely ceremony in Kenilworth, New Jersey.
Milton Medal Awarded
Head of School Todd Bland P ’13 ’14 ’14 and Trustee Emeritus Brad Bloom P ’06 ’08 embarked on their journey together as Milton’s leaders in 2009. Brad was elected as president of the Board as Todd began his first year as head of school. The two shared aspirations of great progress for Milton Academy, and on Friday, May 5, the Board of Trustees awarded both Brad and Todd the Milton Medal, Milton’s highest honor, in recognition of their transformational service to the school. Read more.
Shout-out for Todd
This summer, Head of School Todd Bland’s 14-year career at Milton Academy will come to a close. All of us at Milton will forever be grateful for Todd’s incredible impact on our school. We invite you to reflect on Todd’s tenure and to share well-wishes and messages of gratitude with him. Check out what other alumni have shared, and if you haven’t done so already, post your own shout-out—a note, memory, photo, or short video message—for Todd here: https://padlet.com/MiltonAcademy/todd
Leading with Love
“Let’s go football! Go field hockey! Go soccer! Go cross country!” The pep rally leaders were a cyclone of energy, hyping up their peers to support the athletes about to compete that weekend. Then, without skipping a beat: “Let’s hear it for the robotics team! Give it up for speech and debate!” If the shift from athletics to stem and performance teams registered with anyone in the audience, they didn’t show it. Each group received raucous applause. For Milton students, recognizing athletic prowess in the same breath as other skills was seamless and natural. For me, it was one moment—out of thousands of similar moments—to witness something our students do with astonishing regularity and enthusiasm: celebrate each other. Read More.
Soft Power: A Defense Against Extremism
Engaging with Muslim communities around the world, foreign-policy strategist Farah Pandith ’86 pioneered a new approach to fighting extremists and changed the narrative around how radicalization occurs and how to stop it. Read more.