CAMPAIGN NEWS

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

“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.

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.

We love to hear what’s going on in the lives of Milton Grads! Madeleine M. Winrow ’06 recently shared the wonderful news of the birth of her son, James Winrow, who arrived on Valentine’s Day 2023. James joins his big sister, Hailey, and the Winrows are enjoying living in Hingham, Mass., as a family of four. Join Maddie and share your exciting news with us. Whether it’s a career update, a birth or marriage announcement, or a recent move, we want to know! Share your news and submit a class note here.

Sherry Downes arrived at Milton in 1955 and immediately felt at home. With the last polio epidemic raging in Boston, she and her fellow boarders were required to stay on campus. It was that time at Hathaway House where she made long-lasting relationships. “We were all remarkably alike,” she says. “We hit it off immediately, sharing inside jokes and common interests.” Although the Girls’ School was completely separate from the Boys’ School, Sherry remembers crossing Centre Street for special events. It was at a theater production in March of 1958 that she met a boy, going home that night to write in her diary that he gave her a “nice, warm feeling.” That boy was James Bland, who would become her husband and the father of our current headmaster. Read more.

In 1966, a New Yorker article described R. Buckminster (“Bucky”) Fuller 1913—one of Milton’s most famous graduates—as “an engineer, inventor, mathematician, architect, cartographer, philosopher, cosmogonist, and comprehensive designer.” An internationally renowned figure who wrote 28 books, held 28 patents, and earned 47 honorary doctoral degrees, Fuller offered a more succinct autobiographical description, calling himself “the world’s most successful failure.” Read more.

Join us Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, as we celebrate class years ending in 3 and 8. This Reunion is especially memorable as Head of School Todd Bland will deliver his final State of the School Address with reunion-year alumna and incoming Head of School Alixe Callen ’88. This is one Milton weekend you won’t want to miss! Visit our Reunion website, www.milton.edu/reunion, to register or learn more!

Have you recently published a book? We want to know! Julia Shirvan ’00 recently shared with us that she published her first children’s book, “Baby, MD: Neurology in the Park,” in February 2023. Dr. Shirvan hopes caregivers will use the book to create fun teaching moments for their children and inspire a love for reading and learning. Join Julia and share your news with us here!

It’s National Volunteer Week! Raise your hand and make an impact today. Volunteers are the heart of your alumni network. Recently, we had the pleasure of hearing from Beverly Leon ’10, Dennis Clifford ’11, and the late Eli Wolff ’95, in conversation with Director of Athletics Lamar Reddicks, about their experiences as professional athletes. Click here to watch the event recording and here to read more about the life of advocate Eli Wolff ’95. If you would like to explore ways to stay connected and give back to the Milton community, please take a moment to complete this brief form to indicate your volunteer interests.

Next winter, on Friday, December 1, Milton Academy will host our next TEDxMiltonAcademy in King Theater on Milton’s Campus. The event is student-run, featuring a variety of talks from Milton students, faculty, staff, and alumni. If you have an idea that you would like to spread and wish to be a speaker, kindly fill out this application before May 14. Click here to watch last year’s event!

This year’s Graduation speaker is John Avlon, Milton Academy Class of 1991. John is an award-winning journalist and author of six books, including Lincoln & the Fight for Peace and Washington’s Farewell. He is a CNN senior political analyst and anchor, known for his “Reality Check” segments across the network. Previously, he was the editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast and chief speechwriter for the mayor of New York City during the attacks of September 11, 2001. He lives in New York with his wife, Margaret Hoover, and their two children, Jack and Toula Lou.

In the aftermath of WWII, Milton Academy needed a revolutionary educational thinker to lead the preparatory school (later the Lower School) into a more hopeful and vibrant future. In the tumultuous post-war period, principal Elizabeth Greenleaf (later known as “Betty Buck”) revolutionized the teaching practices and priorities of the Lower School while reigniting the passion of teachers and students alike. Breaking with more traditional teaching philosophy, Buck believed in nurturing students at the level and pace that fit each learner best. Her commitment to expanding access to education led her to form the Saturday Course, a program that continues to provide a challenging supplementary curriculum to promising students from nearby public schools. She also was responsible for much of the Milton A.P.P.L.E. (A Personally Planned Learning Experience) program, which brought together children from private and public schools across Milton for an educational summer program. Buck’s unique perspective on the role of education in students’ lives and of Milton Academy in its surrounding community were aspirational, shaping a vision of public service that continues to inspire the Milton community today.

Join us Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, as we celebrate class years ending in 3 and 8. Reunion will feature panels with current students and fellow alumni, classroom experiences with Milton faculty, a Family Festival on the Quad, class gatherings, and more. This Reunion is especially memorable as Head of School Todd Bland will deliver his final State of the School Address with reunion-year alumna and incoming Head of School Alixe Callen ’88. This is one Milton weekend you won’t want to miss! Visit our Reunion website, www.milton.edu/reunion, to register or learn more!

Over the last few weeks, we hosted the Milton Academy 2023 Department of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice speaker series. The series featured talks from Dr. Howard Stevenson, Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer ’87, and Grace Chan McKibben ’86. Dr. Howard Stevenson discussed how to promote racial literacy in education, health, and community institutions. Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer ’87, executive director at the Interfaith Center of New York, discussed how to overcome prejudice, violence, and misunderstanding by activating the power of grassroots religious and civic leaders of today. Grace Chan McKibben ’86 discussed how to bring communities together and amplify the voices and influence of marginalized communities. To watch the recordings of any of these events, please visit https://vimeo.com/miltonalumni. If you participated in any or all of these events and would like to provide feedback, please take a moment to fill out this survey.

March 9 is Giving Day 2023! From arts to sports to hands-on learning experiences and enrichment, a Milton Fund gift makes a positive impact by helping our students learn, grow, and become the leaders we know they can be. The best part? You don’t have to just imagine 1,000 generous Giving Day donors earning $100K to the Milton Fund. You can help make it a reality. Ready to get started? Add Giving Day to your calendar |  Watch the 2023 video | Support us as a Giving Day advocate

As we prepare for the Spring 2023 edition of Milton Magazine to drop in the mail soon, we are already looking forward to reading the class notes and receiving submissions for the fall issue. Do you have a Milton love story or a new addition to the family to share? How about a career update or relocation to tell your classmates about? Submit a class note today at http://forms.gle/4NHrztmPtjPpGq6n6!

Pictured are Heather McGhee ’97 and Cassim Shepard ’97 on their wedding day in October of 2016. The couple have been best friends since their sophomore year at Milton, when they shared their first kiss in the basement of Wigg Hall.

Dr. Howard Stevenson, the first of Milton’s 2023 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) speakers, recently spoke to the alumni community, as well as Upper and Middle School students. You can access the recording of his talk to the alumni community here. Upcoming speakers include Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer ’87, who will speak on February 28, and Grace Chan McKibbon ’86, who will speak on March 7. You can register for the upcoming speaker events at https://www.milton.edu/graduates/events-calendar.

While the past two years have brought myriad heartbreaks and headaches into the public school classroom, alumni working in public school education say they have also profited from important lessons and opportunities. Read more.

Classes ending in 3 and 8, get excited because Reunion is just five months away! Mark your calendars for Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, and keep an eye out for registration information in February. In the meantime, please visit www.milton.edu/reunion to view a preliminary schedule, check out your class page to connect with fellow alumni, join your class committee, and make a gift in honor of your reunion year.

Sitting in the bright, airy headquarters at College for Social Innovation in downtown Boston, Eric Schwarz ’79 describes what has driven him over the past several decades to envision and create two experiential learning programs that give students from underserved communities some of the same opportunities that their more privileged peers have. Read More.

Milton recently hosted a virtual event that explored the collaborative and engaging student clubs that uplift Asian culture at Milton. “Life at Milton: Clubs, Community, and Connection” featured faculty panelists, as well as students who expressed that these clubs offer a “home away from home” and give them a feeling of acceptance and belonging. Access the event recording here: https://vimeo.com/788435340.

Gifts to the Milton Fund provide vital resources for Milton to fulfill its mission by supporting financial aid, faculty development, innovation, and flexible funding for Milton’s greatest needs. Please make your donation before the calendar year ends at www.milton.edu/donate.

Alumni and parent volunteers serve as a vital resource for our students and the greater Milton community. Board of Trustee member Yeng Felipe Butler ’92, P ’35, ’33 recently spoke with Milton’s Invest in Girls club about her life and career in finance. Invest in Girls is a national organization serving more than 2,000 girls a year and was founded by former Trustee Dune Thorne ’94 and Chelsea Mehra ’11. If you would like to explore ways to stay connected and give back to the Milton community like this, please take a moment to complete this brief form to indicate your interests. In particular, we are currently seeking volunteers with expertise in sustainability, digital media, or social justice for upcoming events. A member of our team will be in touch to discuss volunteer opportunities once this form has been completed: https://forms.gle/yz9UhMwTXxrMNBDr6.