Reunion 2013 was a great success! More than 100 alumni attended on-campus events and an additional 75 alumni got together at parties off-campus. Thank you to everyone who helped make Reunion 2013 a special weekend.

Reunion 2013: Day 1

Reunion weekend kicked off with a luncheon in Bradley Hall. Head of School Peter Hutton spoke about Beaver today and shared remarks in memory of Jane Baker, a beloved former faculty member who taught at the school for more than three decades. Ms. Baker passed away earlier this year. reunion-2013 After the luncheon, classes gathered in the front circle for their official class pictures. Alumni then took student-led campus tours, revisiting their favorite campus spots and seeing the various additions and enhancements made to the school throughout the years.

Faculty panel on Design Thinking faculty-panelLater that afternoon, alumni met with three members of Beaver’s faculty: Global History Department Chair Kader Adjout; English Department Chair Lisa Brown; and Mathematics Department Chair Robert MacDonald. Moderated by Assistant Head of School Nancy Caruso, the faculty discussed the impact of Design Thinking on teaching and on students.

Design Thinking involves hands-on design challenges that focus on promoting a bias toward action, brainstorming, reflecting, collaborating, fostering active problem solving, and developing empathy. For example, Mr. MacDonald said many math curriculums involve theoretical problems that do not resonate with students. “We all remember the math problem with two trains leaving the station at different speeds and figuring out when they will meet, but there are plenty of real world math problems out there that we can share with students.”

The faculty members also discussed the impact of technology in the classroom, and how our students, for example, Skype with classrooms around the world about global issues. Recently, Beaver students Skyped with a school in Norway about World War II to see how students in another country learn about historic events.

 

Wendy Lawless ’78 reading and presentation wendy-lawlessWendy Lawless returned to Beaver to celebrate her 35th reunion and to share her new memoir, Chanel Bonfire, with alumni and students.

She read an excerpt from the first chapter of her book, which tells the story of her childhood, including her time at Beaver. She also announced she is working on a sequel to her memoir.

Not only is Wendy a successful writer but she’s also a successful actress, appearing on television, in regional theater, off-Broadway in “All in the Timing,” and on Broadway in “The Heidi Chronicles.” She lives in California with her screenwriter husband and their two children.

Cocktail party The alumni cocktail party occurred in the Visual Performing Arts Center Lobby, underneath Lauren Lapuck’s ’13 Senior Studio installation of John Lennon. The Beaver mascot also made an appearance for photos.

Class parties Evening events included off-campus gatherings for several reunion classes.

  • Class of 1963 at Marie Cotton’s home in Hopkinton
  • Class of 1968 at The Cottage in Chestnut Hill
  • Class of 1973 at Legal Sea Foods
  • Class of 1988 at Beaver, in the science wing
  • Class of 1993 at BOKX 109 in Newton
  • Class of 2003 at The Met Bar and Grille in Back Bay
  • Class of 2008 at the Mass Ave Tavern in Boston

Reunion 2013: Day 2

Athletic Hall of Fame Induction On Saturday, we celebrated the 2013 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction.

ahof-inductees

Honored for her achievements in figure skating, inductee Polly Blodgett Watson ’38 (pictured top left) was introduced by Lauren Lapuck ’13, a synchronized skater. Polly shared her fondest memories and a video of her skating as Mickey

Mouse. Tri-captain Sarah Martin ’91 (pictured top right), introduced by current basketball captain Kaila Duarte ’13, was honored for her accomplishments in lacrosse, basketball and field hockey — all of which she continued in college. Most recently she successfully coached at Dartmouth.

Accomplished professional soccer player C. Kareem Smith ‘03 (pictured bottom left) was introduced by soccer player Danny Getz ’13. Kareem has played in four countries and in World Cup matches.

Lastly, the undefeated EIL and NEPSAC 1999 men’s soccer championship team (pictured bottom right) was honored and introduced by three year soccer starter Zack Lacava ’14.