CAMPAIGN NEWS

While summer is not quite over yet, we are looking forward to a fall season full of Milton events! This fall will feature several virtual and in-person events, including Milton-Nobles Day at Nobles; receptions in New York, Washington D.C., and Boston; college dinners in Washington D.C., Boston, and Providence; Milton Night Out: Boston Bowl; a live stream of the 94th Gratwick Concert; and much more. Stay tuned and visit our Upcoming Events calendar for details and 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.

On a warm, sunny fall day, fifth-graders Sophie Kalin and Emily Munko are eager to explain what makes Milton’s buddy program so special. For Sophie, “It brings back memories of when I was in kindergarten,” and for Emily, “I just love hanging out with the young kids.” Today, they watch as their kindergarten buddy Malachi Campbell scoops up wood chips off the ground, carefully arranging them around the legs of one of the playground’s benches. He wants to make sure, he explains, that the bench doesn’t wobble when someone sits down. Read more.

Earlier this summer, we were pleased to host former faculty members, alumni, and guests at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine, to celebrate the works of alumna Emilie Stark-Menneg ’02. Guests immersed themselves in her “Thread of Her Scent” exhibition. Emilie shared that “this whole project feels inseparable from my experience at Milton and later teaching at Milton.” To view photos of the event and exhibition, visit www.milton.edu/graduates/events/event-photos.

After much thought and deliberation, Milton’s Board of Trustees, in partnership with the school’s Leadership Team, has decided not to issue institutional responses to external events in the future. Rather than communicating messages about institutional stances or values, our energy will be fully dedicated to Milton’s primary purpose: education, support, and care for students—as it always is. When troubling external events do occur, the school will always act quickly to support its community by providing a variety of resources, educational programming, and other community-based support. Read More.

2023–2024 was another great year for Milton. The incredible generosity of 3,041 alumni, parents, students, and friends provided more than $11.4 million in support for Milton Academy. Together, our community contributed an incredible $5.7 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 over 100 events, with gatherings on campus, across the country, and across Asia, which were attended by approximately 2,400 alumni, parents, and friends. On campus, we were proud to host the opening of the new and improved Cox Library and to have Milton-Nobles Day on our turf. We celebrated milestone anniversaries of the Jazz and Girls’ Ice Hockey programs. We look forward to another exciting year ahead!

In June, 643 graduates and guests joined us for an unforgettable weekend celebrating classes ending in 4 and 9. Please enjoy a curated album of photographs and relive some of the most memorable moments from the weekend in our highlights video at www.milton.edu/reunion. 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 0s and 5s, mark your calendars for Reunion 2025: Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14, 2025!

As the sun shines brightly and temperatures rise on Centre Street, we’re excited to bring you another sizzling summer reading list containing recommendations straight from our talented Milton community. These alumni-authored books are perfect companions for your summer adventures. We hope you enjoy the insightful and captivating nature of these works. Click here to read the list.

Ben Rhodes-Kropf ’24 has a message from his father. In order to receive it, he’ll have to travel to Spain. That’s because his dad left the message through Trace, an app Rhodes-Kropf and classmate Benjamin Siegel ’24 developed throughout their junior and senior years at Milton. The location-based service combines the functions of a messaging app with the thrill of an in-person treasure hunt, allowing users to “leave a Trace” wherever they are in the world. Messages for other Trace users (or their future selves) are delivered only when the recipient is physically close to the location where the message—in video form—was recorded. Read more.

On June 7, 187 seniors received their diplomas and joined the Milton Academy alumni community. Graduation at Milton is a ceremony that carries years of tradition, including students electing their student speakers and the alum to deliver the commencement address. The Class of 2024 elected Lily Park and Bryan Sukidi as their student representatives, and the commencement address given by Jason Bowen ’00 (pictured). Jason is an actor and educator who has performed on Broadway, television, and film, and he reminded the class that they are ready for anything. He shared, “I can tell you from firsthand experience that receiving a diploma from this school means you’re absolutely ready to go in whatever direction you choose. I promise you, whatever you see for yourself, you have been given the tools to go and pursue it. It’s now on you to go and make your place in this world.” Click here to read their speeches, watch the ceremony in its entirety, and flip through photos from the day.

Lisa Winick has made a decision to step away from her role as Chief Advancement Officer now that Milton’s Dare capital campaign and our master plan construction efforts are concluded. Soon, we will begin working on our next strategic plan and the launch of a new capital campaign. Lisa feels the moment is right for her to consider her next professional opportunity. She will remain in her role through the end of June, leading the successful completion of the Milton Fund’s 2023–24 fundraising and overseeing Reunion weekend. We will move quickly to launch a national search for Lisa’s successor. Carol Giusti-Cahalane, director of development, will lead the department in the interim. Read more.

While the academic year has just ended for Milton’s students and faculty, the Milton Fund still has big, bold goals to achieve for Milton Academy before our fiscal year ends on June 30—and we’re counting on YOU to help us meet them! Your Milton Fund gift will support the many essential people, programs, and spaces that Milton students count on each day, making a Milton education second to none! Please make your Milton Fund gift by June 30 to make your gift count.

At Northeastern University, Alexandra Rodman ’06 directs a research laboratory that uses social experiences—from experimental tasks to phone usage—as a lens to better understand what makes adolescents unique and why they are at heightened risk for mental health problems, especially depression and anxiety. Greater insight into the neurobiological, psychological, and emotional factors that govern the adolescent social brain, Rodman says, has the potential to inform more-effective interventions for preventing and treating mental health disorders. Read more.

We are now accepting Class Notes for the fall 2024 issue of Milton Magazine! Share your accomplishments and life updates with Milton and your classmates by completing this form. Submissions may be edited for brevity and may also be shared on social media, in an email to alumni, and/or on Milton’s website. The deadline for submissions is Friday, July 12.

Pictured: Christopher “Chris” West ’77 shared that he and some 1977 classmates gathered on a trip on the Alaska Waterway in May–June of 2023. LtR: Christopher “Chris” West, Peter Gregory, Susan “Sue” (Twitchell) Engelmann, Michael “Mike” Ryan, and David Giandomenico

Looking to connect with fellow alumni? Have an exciting professional development to share? Join our Milton Academy Alumni group on LinkedIn to connect with classmates and grow your professional network. We also encourage you to proudly showcase your affiliation with Milton Academy by adding the school to your LinkedIn profile under the “Education” section. It’s the best way to highlight your alma mater and stay connected with fellow members of the Milton community.

Four Milton faculty members—Bob Sinicrope, Rod Skinner ’72, Sarah Storer Goodwin Teaching Chair Sarah Wehle, and Laurence M. Lombard 1913 Teaching Chair Vivian WuWong—retired at the end of this school year. We invite you to join us in celebrating their incredible impact on our community through dedicated virtual memory boards. You can share memories, messages of appreciation, photos, and videos that reflect the joy, learning, and camaraderie they brought to Milton. Please visit www.milton.edu/retirees to post your well wishes!

Llewellyn “Llew” Smith ’72 returned to campus in April as part of the 2024 DEIJ Speaker Series. “I’m always interested in stories that are connected to people, looking at social conditions, and that explore certain kinds of consequences. If the story doesn’t have consequences, I’m not interested. If the story doesn’t have a possibility of a real impact now, I’m not so interested,” Smith shared at an assembly moderated by student leaders in the Upper and Middle schools. Read more.

Head of School Alixe Callen ’88 and Chief Advancement Officer Lisa Winick recently returned from an action-packed trip to Asia. While overseas, they connected with alumni and parents in Shanghai, Seoul, Beijing, and Hong Kong. The sense of Milton pride and community is strong all over the world! Pictured is one of the events in Hong Kong. Click here to view the full album.

The recent 40th-anniversary celebration of Milton’s Transitions Program was a memorable occasion, marked by an emotional keynote speech from Alex Alex ’19. During the event, both alumni and current students shared inspiring anecdotes reflecting on their experiences and the program’s enduring impact. The gathering honored the program’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and underscored its significance in shaping a diverse community at Milton.

The Class of 2024 Senior Gift Campaign was a great success! The class met their ambitious 55% participation goal, earning a $10,000 challenge gift to the Milton Fund’s financial aid priority from two anonymous young alumni siblings. The class fundraising effort was led by a committee of dedicated volunteers, including Senior Gift Committee Co-Chairs Maddy ’24 and Melvin ’24. Learn more about this year’s Senior Gift Campaign.

Mik Aoki ’86 has spent a lifetime on the baseball diamond, as a player and as a coach. Yet he rarely spoke about the game with his mother. “For my mother, studies always came first,” says Aoki, who recently took over as head baseball coach at the University of Richmond. “She never discouraged me. But I think she would have been just as happy if I had taken up the tuba.” Read more.

At the end of this school year, four Milton faculty members—Bob Sinicrope, Rod Skinner ’72, Sarah Storer Goodwin Teaching Chair Sarah Wehle, and Laurence M. Lombard 1913 Teaching Chair Vivian WuWong—will retire, and we invite you to join us in celebrating their incredible impact on our community through dedicated virtual memory boards. You can share memories, messages of appreciation, photos, and videos that reflect the joy, learning, and camaraderie they brought to Milton. Please visit www.milton.edu/retirees to post your well wishes!

On April 18 and 19, Milton Academy welcomed musicians Molly Joyce and Gaelyn Lea thanks to the generosity of donors to the Melissa Dilworth Gold ’61 Fund Visiting Artists Fund. The two musicians met with Milton Academy’s orchestra students to discuss the intersection of music and disability. They shared their life stories and how they embraced and leveraged their disabilities to express themselves and advocate for others with disabilities. Ms. Lea and Ms. Joyce also spoke with local students with disabilities in Dorchester on April 17 as part of the public school partnership component of the fund. They delivered a message of hope and encouragement for the students to share their unique stories. Read more.

Get ready for summer adventures with Milton! Plan to immerse yourself in the excitement of our summer event series, featuring events all over New England, including Maine, Western Massachusetts (Tanglewood!), Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and more. To make sure you get all the details, update your contact information at www.milton.edu/update. See you this summer!

On April 2, Farah Pandith ’86 spent the day with our K–12 community as part of the 2024 DEIJ Speaker Series. Pandith is an author, foreign policy strategist, and former diplomat. As a world-leading expert and pioneer in countering violent extremism, she is a frequent media commentator, and we were thrilled to welcome her back to Centre Street to share her insight and expertise with students. Classes she took as a Milton student sparked her interest in world issues and ultimately led to her career in foreign policy, she shared during a “Fireside Chat” moderated by student leaders in the Upper and Middle schools. “Seeds that are planted when you are very young help you to think about the world in a different way,” said Pandith as she reflected on learning about ancient Egyptian history as a fourth-grader at Milton. Read more.

Milton Academy was a big part of the plan Jake Thibeault ’22 made for his own future. The plan: Work hard, get into Milton, play hockey at Milton, work hard at Milton, get into college, play hockey in college, and so forth. Thibeault learned about the school when his older brother attended; he saw how driven Milton students were about their passions and, he said, “I knew it was going to take a lot to get there, but I knew I wanted to be part of this community. I put my mind to it and decided that this was the journey I was going to take.” Read more.

When you hear Robb Chavis ’94 talk about writing for television, you can tell straight off that this is a guy who loves his job. Like most people, he’d like to advance in his career. But he’s also intent on preserving the profession as a whole. And that is pretty much what he has fought for as a member of the Writers Guild of America West board of directors, as well as a member of the negotiating committee that prevailed over studio heads during the 2023 writers’ strike. Serving in that capacity, Chavis fought to establish conditions that will enable people like him to make a decent living in their business, while creating quality programs that people might actually want to watch. Read more.

Current and former Milton Academy musicians (and some special guests) gathered on April 6 to celebrate 50 years of the jazz program at Milton. The event featured performances by Milton students from the Classes of 1978 through 2030 and a panel of alumni—Baron Tymas ’78, Aaron Goldberg ’91, Robbie Lee ’99, Jason Yeager ’05, and Henry Taylor ’20 with special guest artist Horace Alexander Young. Also on hand for the celebration was noted jazz bassist, educator, and composer Rufus Reid, a surprise visitor to honor Milton’s jazz director Bob Sinicrope, who will retire at the end of this academic year. Thank you to all who attended and made this a spectacular celebration! Click here to view photos from the event.

Following a highly competitive national search, Head of School Alixe Callen ’88 announced on April 10 that Milton Academy has chosen Rachel Stone as the next Upper School principal. Currently Head of School at Canterbury School in Connecticut, Stone is an extremely talented, experienced educator with 30 years of experience working in independent schools in both faculty and leadership roles. She will join the Milton community in July 2024. Read more.

In honor of National Volunteer Month, we want to thank all of our dedicated volunteers for your commitment to Milton. Alumni and parent volunteers keep our community strong and growing while helping to ensure the Milton experience remains exceptional. Whether you are volunteering in support of your class, connecting with a current student, speaking on campus, engaging peers about their philanthropic support of Milton, leading an affinity space, or networking with fellow grads, you are an essential part of this community. Thank you!

Classes ending in 4 and 9: Make your next Milton memory by joining us on Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15, as we celebrate class years ending in 4 and 9. Visit www.milton.edu/reunion to register, view program highlights, or learn more!

Looking to connect with fellow alums? Have an exciting professional development to share? Join our Milton Academy Alumni group on LinkedIn to connect with classmates and grow your professional network. We also encourage you to proudly showcase your affiliation with Milton Academy by adding the school to your LinkedIn profile under the “Education” section. It’s the best way to highlight your alma mater and stay connected with fellow members of the Milton community.

On March 6, the Milton community came together like never before to support the people, programs, and opportunities that cultivate Milton Connections for students inside and outside the classroom. United around a common goal, alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends responded with record participation; 1,207 donors gave more than $1.3 million to fuel Milton Academy’s transformative educational experiences. Visit www.milton.edu/givingdayimpact for a message from Head of School Alixe Callen ’88 and to see the full impact of your collective generosity.

One of the most exciting things about a Milton education is the opportunity to learn not only from our fantastic faculty, but also visiting experts. On February 22, Dr. Robert S. Ross, the 2024 Hong Kong Distinguished Speaker, spoke to Class I and II students about China’s emergence as a global power and the response from the United States. Read More.

Last month, as part of our Black History Month programming, the Department of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice collaborated with Milton’s Public Issues Board to present “Common Ground: Perspectives on the Black Student Experience at Milton.” This event included a panel discussion moderated by Assistant Director of Admission and Onyx advisor Chris Lewis ’15. Alumni panelists included Trustee Lamont Gordon ’87, Heather Ferguson ’93, and Kasia Ifill ’13. Our gratitude extends to our alumni who continue to “Dare to be true.” For those interested in getting involved or volunteering with Milton, we invite you to complete this form.

📭 Check your mailbox: The new Spring/Summer 2024 issue of Milton Magazine is on its way. This issue’s alumni features highlight the work and lives of Robb Chavis ’94, Alexandra Rodman ’06, and Mik Aoki ’86. Plus, enjoy other insightful and engaging content from Centre Street. And of course, there’s a robust collection of news from your classmates in the Class Notes section. Speaking of Class Notes, we are now accepting submissions for the Fall/Winter 2024 issue, so share your news using this submission form.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.