CA Magazine

Winter 2023

This issue of CA Magazine celebrates alums who have forged unique paths, teachers who are inspiring innovative collaborations, and Concord Academy’s recent progress in advancing equity. We hope you’ll enjoy the stories below and read the full issue.

FEATURES

Stepping Through

During the pandemic, many people discovered their habitual ways of working weren’t adding up to a meaningful life. That came as no surprise to three CA alums who had already chosen less stressful, more intentional paths. Attorney Robert Elwood ’78, publisher Julianne Lee ’86, and architect Mette Aamodt ’92 share how they recrafted their careers with purpose.

How to Engineer Historical Empathy

Two CA classes recently teamed up to bring local history to life. Kim Frederick’s U.S. history research seminar and a mobile apps computer science class taught by Ben Stumpf ’88 created augmented reality history tours to tell the stories of the people—Nipmuc, Wampanoag, English, African, and American—who lived where Concord Academy now sits.

Aiming Higher

Concord Academy’s Gender Equity Task Force, led by Courtney Fields-Thomas, Alex Holmes, and Grant Hightower, has been modeling systemic change in supporting students of all genders. The school’s approach is grounded in the knowledge that this community has always been gender-diverse, whether it appeared so or not, and in its founding vision of advancing gender equity.

CA CENTENNIAL

Centennial Chapel Challenge Sets CA’s Second Century in Motion

Concord Academy couldn’t have picked a more beautiful fall day to host the Centennial Chapel Challenge. This October 15 event, one of several celebratory gatherings throughout CA’s 100th academic year, encouraged CA community members to get active together and celebrated the unique history of the Elizabeth B. Hall Chapel.

Down Memory Lane

Between 2019 and 2022, former faculty member and author Lucille Stott spoke with more than 300 alums ranging from the class of 1938 to the class of 2025. Her book, Concord Academy at 100: Voices from the First Century, is a testament to the celebration of both individuality and community that guided CA throughout its first century and continues to animate the school today.

ALUMS

A Hoop Dream Come True

Wake Forest basketball player Xiaolong “Steven” Wu ’20 found the support he needed at CA to realize his dream of playing Division I basketball.

CA Alums Contribute Lively Literary Conversation to Concord Festival of Authors

On October 20, a special literary reunion took place at CA as part of the Concord Festival of Authors. Publisher Susan Knopf ’74 moderated a discussion among authors Julia Glass ’74, Susan Minot ’74, and Ruth Ozeki ’74. Between reflections on their youthful days at Concord Academy and their writing process today, the evening’s talk was lively indeed.

CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN

A Century in the Making

Concord Academy is preparing for the most ambitious capital project in its 100-year history: a chance to unify its program and campus to meet the needs of students today, with flexibility to adapt as 21st-century education evolves. Anchored by a new Centennial Arts Center, a reconfigured West Campus will be the capstone to a campus vision decades in development.

CAMPUS

Aiming Higher

For the Public Good

As an intern with the Tufts School of Medicine, Joanne Oh ’23 helped challenge the notion of “vaccine hesitancy,” tying COVID vaccination disparities to measures of structural racism

The Dance Dynasty Continues

Taking over from longtime beloved dance program co-directors, Amy Spencer and Richard Colton P’13, Rika Okamoto and Alexander Brady are supporting CA students every step of the way.

Henry Fairfax’s Office Opens for Haircuts, Critical Conversations, and Community

Head of School Henry Fairfax started a Concord Academy tradition when he turned his office into a barber shop, welcoming CA students and adults to drop by for a haircut and conversation.

Fall 2022 Athletics Season Recap

Congratulations to Concord Academy’s fall teams on another successful fall season capped off with a sixth consecutive Chandler Bowl victory. Relive the excitement in a news recap on boys varsity soccer, girls varsity soccer, girls varsity field hockey, cross-country, girls varsity volleyball, and junior varsity programs. Go Green!

Documentarian Ken Dornstein P’23 Shares His Search for the Truth in 2022 Centennial Davidson Lecture

At CA, Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and author Ken Dornstein P’23 shared his riveting life story, a true tale of dogged determination and investigative journalism.

Richard Selden P’23 Shares with CA How Rapid DNA Technology Is Advancing Social Justice

When Richard Selden P’23 spoke at an all-school assembly at Concord Academy on November 16, he acknowledged how much CA students want to change the world. “No matter what your academic and career interests are, you can find a way to tie them into fighting for social justice,” he said. Selden shared how he turned his passion for molecular biology into a rapid DNA technology that is making the world a safer place.

CA Club Helps Fight Food Insecurity Ahead of Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving season, the CA students involved in the Lawrence-Concord Action Partnership (LCAP) aren’t just giving thanks—they’re also giving back. Together the student-led initiative has a goal of fighting food insecurity in the local community. LCAP is making a meaningful difference through its work with the Lazarus House nonprofit organization by volunteering in the soup kitchen and transitional housing program.

With New Vans, Fans, and Coordinator, CA Makes Progress Toward Sustainability Goals

Science teacher Gretchen Roorbach, CA’s first environmental sustainability and justice coordinator, recently reported on actions the school is taking to meet its sustainability targets. Of several projects of note, a fan system soon to be installed in the gym will reduce heating and cooling demand. The first project approved for the Green Revolving Fund support, it resulted from a proposal created last year for a CA science class on energy and climate by recent graduate Ishan Narra ’22.

Action-Packed Fall Mainstage She Kills Monsters Breathes Fresh Life Into Storytelling

Go behind the scenes of the action-packed fall mainstage play She Kills Monsters in a special interview with Director Shelley Bolman. The high-energy show was thrilling, heartfelt, and at times hilarious, incorporating puppetry and swordplay in an immersive experience that blurred the line between fantasy and reality.

CA Fall Teams Claim Chandler Bowl Victory Once Again

On an idyllic October afternoon, Concord Academy claimed the sixth consecutive Chandler Bowl victory over league rival Pingree School. Against stiff competition, CA’s 10 fall sports teams competed well, once again winning the overall contest in dramatic fashion, with the outcome decided in the final game of the day.

Community and Equity Assembly Brings Larry Spotted Crow Mann Back to CA

While parents and guardians attended Family Weekend classes on Friday, October 7, CA students engaged in Community and Equity Programming in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day. Concord Academy welcomed back acclaimed author, storyteller, and educator Larry Spotted Crow Mann to share his music and culture.

Innocence Project Assembly at CA Raises Awareness of Wrongful Conviction

On September 30, CA welcomed Innocence Project speakers Lisa Kavanaugh P’22 ’25 and Sean Ellis, who presented about wrongful conviction. It was an exceptional opportunity for CA students, faculty, and staff to learn about advocacy for criminal legal system reform.

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