Courage: Winter 2023

GIFT OF A LIFETIME

One student’s experience can have a lasting impact on many others. James “Jim” Waugh’s ’44 life work positively influenced young people in much the same way he was influenced while a student at the Academy more than seven decades ago.

Governor’s realized a $1.2 million bequest from Waugh in September. This generous gift will support endowed financial aid, honoring Waugh’s wishes. Behind Waugh’s bequest is a touching story of how his time at the Academy directed his career and giving. When Waugh arrived in Byfield as a junior in 1942, World War II was well underway, Ted Eames was Headmaster, and faculty members included members of the “Old Guard”—Arthur “Art” Sager, Howard “Buster” Navins, and Athol “Mac” Murphy. These influential faculty would shape the Academy’s future and many graduates, including Waugh.

“The Academy really launched him, as a student and an athlete. It’s where he learned to be a well-rounded human being and why he committed his life to education and coaching.”

– SETH WAUGH, SON OF JIM WAUGH ‘44

Waugh thrived during his time at Govs as a three-season athlete, serving as baseball captain his senior year. He discovered his passion for writing and learning through the Harkness method of discussion-based instruction. After graduating in 1944, Waugh enlisted in the U.S. Navy and then continued on to Williams College, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. After graduating, he returned to his formative roots by becoming an English teacher and three-sport coach at Groton School. Waugh’s career spanned more than five decades between Lawrenceville and Groton Schools.

Waugh was an extraordinary educator in every sense. He inspired his students and teams with a unique blend of high expectations, honesty, humor, and kindness. One former student described him as a “wry, forthright, witty gentleman.” Another shared that classes were taught with Waugh, not by him.

Waugh’s significant bequest speaks to the gratitude he had for his Governor’s teachers. Now, his love of teaching has come full circle— Waugh honors the teachers and coaches that meant so much to him by providing for future generations of Govs students.

Jim Waugh’s ’44 bequest has a deep connection to teaching and learning.

BY THE NUMBERS

$87 million Raised to date

Bass Challenge Impact

Each gift to the With True Courage campaign drives us toward our $100 million goal. With the Bass Challenge, generously supported by Bob ’67 and Anne Bass GP’26, we will accelerate to the finish line with a 1:2 match of gifts of $50,000 or more.

$100M

December 31 2023

Date by which Bass Challenge-eligible gifts and pledges must be committed.

Allocation of Bass Challenge funds

By leveraging the Bass Challenge, donors have bolstered their support of the school’s priorities.

December 31 2025

Date by which payments on multi-year Bass Challenge-eligible pledges must be fulfilled.

CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS

Stephanie Gardner Ginsberg ’85, P’20 and Stephen G. Kasnet ’62, P’95

70 donors

Unrestricted Support

36%

Capital Projects

24% 41% Financial Aid & the Academic Enterprise

have invested in Governor’s through the Bass Challenge.

Numbers as of January 1, 2023

Gifts of any size count toward our campaign success. If you wish to be in touch about the newsletter or the campaign, please contact Director of Advancement Leslie Dickey at 978.499.3174 or ldickey@govsacademy.org.

HONORING A TRUE FRIEND

Bob ’73 and Sherilyn Phillips P’03 support the Edward C. Young ’73 Access Fund so all students can fully participate in the Govs experience.

“I transferred to Governor’s as a day student in my junior year from public school,” said Robert Phillips ’73, P’03. “It was tough in the beginning. I struggled to get up to speed academically, and I was pretty shy. My classmate, Ed Young ’73, P’01,’02, picked up on my distress and befriended me. His generous spirit and friendship made me feel welcome and more confident—it was a pivotal moment that helped me become successful at Governor’s.”

Nearly five decades later, Phillips and his wife, Sherilyn P’03, established the Edward C. Young ’73 Access Fund. “The idea of establishing an endowed fund took hold five years ago after my 45th reunion—my classmates and I thought it would be a great way to honor Ed in recognition of what would have been our upcoming 50th reunion together,” said Phillips. “He represented the best of our class—he helped me as he would anyone else. It was just his way. Ed was the first Black student to win the Morse Flag, he was a good athlete and actor—an all-around terrific person.”

Young’s passion for education led him to become head of school at All Saint’s Episcopal School in Phoenix, Arizona after leaving Govs where he was the assistant head of school. Sadly, he passed away soon after taking the position.

Phillips encourages more of his classmates to join those who have chosen to contribute to the

Edward C. Young ’73 Access Fund to honor Young and help future students enjoy the full Governor’s experience. “I came from a middle class family—my mom went back to work to pay my tuition. I worked every summer and saved to help cover all the other expenses, but I had to think carefully about every expense. It’s important to me that every student can fully participate without worrying about affordability. It boosts their confidence,” said Phillips.

As the Chair of the UNH Foundation, Phillips understands the power of a robust endowment.

“It’s about sustainability. The cost of a private school education continues to rise, and I’m passionate about providing access for students, especially first-generation private school students like me—I benefitted so much from the opportunities I was afforded. Without a robust endowment, it’s tough for schools to provide those opportunities for students and families.”

“Ed represented the best of our class—he helped me as he would anyone else.”

– BOB PHILLIPS ’73, P’03

A DYNAMIC APPROACH TO LEARNING

Investment in faculty professional development creates profound learning opportunities for students.

When Ava Gallagher ’19 entered her first-year computer-aided design (CAD) class at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, she was better equipped than most. Thanks to the Honors Engineering class she took during her senior year at Govs, Gallagher had already mastered CAD software by way of the project-based curriculum in her Govs engineering course.

Gallagher’s early exposure to CAD—as well as electronics, programming, and mechanical systems—helped illuminate her future path. She graduated in December with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, and is staying on at RPI to earn her master’s.

Project-based learning (PBL) is taking off at Govs, thanks to investments in professional development for its teachers and the remarkable outcomes students experience at Govs and beyond. Science faculty Marcus Soule and Jamie Brandt spent part of summer 2022 at PBL 201, a Buck Institute of Education seminar that trains teachers to work in new ways.

ABOVE LEFT: Marcus Soule discusses a 3D printer design with students.

ABOVE RIGHT: Jamie Brandt observes students choosing elements for their biosphere project.

“The project is the learning, not the outcome,” says Soule, who teaches the engineering class. “Students are building their mastery and knowledge as they go through it.”

“It costs more to educate students with PBL,” he explains. “We use laser cutters, a band saw, and 3D printers, and we go through a lot of materials in producing the projects.”

The innovative approach engages students in a way that traditional teaching may not, argues Soule: “It aligns beautifully to Governor’s Seven Essential Skills. Students learn to be analytical, accountable, and collaborative in stressful situations.”

In Brandt’s Honors Environmental Science elective, student pairs tackle a life-or-death project: create and sustain a biosphere inside a two-liter plastic bottle.

“We’re doing science, rather than just talking about it. It makes it more effective, and the kids really enjoy it,” says Brandt.

Bryce Ciampitti ’23 elected to take the course after enjoying Brandt’s physics course during junior year.

“I like Mr. Brandt’s style of teaching because it’s projectbased and interactive,” he explains. “It’s helpful to learn that way because you’re not just listening, you’re actually putting knowledge into action.”

For their biosphere, Ciampitti and partner Cam Russo ’24 chose every available element: mud and water from a local freshwater pond, a bit of beach sand, four rotala indica plants, four freshwater guppies, three snails, and a smattering of saltwater brine shrimp. They sealed it up on a Friday, found one dead fish on Monday, and suffered mass mortality by Wednesday.

“I’m disappointed, but the goal wasn’t to keep the fish alive; it was to understand what’s happening inside the bottle,” says Ciampitti, who predicts widespread algae as the semester progresses.

Academic Dean Karen Gold P’14,’17 is inspired by the projects she’s seeing across campus, and the interdisciplinary collaboration that’s happening among faculty: “When Marcus and Jamie shared during a faculty meeting what they learned from PBL 201, their energy lit up the room. We all change and grow as educators, as does the school… It feels limitless what we can do here.”

Faculty excellence is a priority of the With True Courage campaign. Support for the academic enterprise gives our teachers more opportunities to strengthen and sharpen their practice, and ensures that our faculty are inspired to do their best work and that our school is an inspiring place to learn.

“The project is the learning, not the outcome.”

– MARCUS SOULE, SCIENCE TEACHER

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO GIVE?

The Governor’s Academy is grateful to have a community of alumni, parents, employees, and friends who share an unwavering commitment to the school, which they demonstrate through their financial support. Every gift to The Governor’s Fund plays a critical role in everything that happens on our campus every day. And annual support of The Governor’s Fund is an important and significant part of With True Courage: The Campaign for Governor’s. The Governor’s Fund must thrive to both support our existing program and help us realize our new priorities.

Kip Brown ’87

The enduring friendships that were fostered, especially with my dormmates, remain an important part of my life to this day. The faculty and coaches encouraged me to try new things and be disciplined. They had such a positive impact on me as a student and I still see this happening in the Govs community today. I remain connected to the school through my classmates and by coming back to campus often. That connection motivates me to continue my long-time support of the place that was so meaningful to me, so that today’s students can have the positive experiences that I was fortunate to have.”

$17

$100M GOAL $87M $17M

million of the $87M campaign achievement has been raised through The Governor’s Fund.

David Crisafi and Jill Harrison P’22,’24

We’ve seen the value of a small, tightly knit community that works in a myriad of ways: Fostering confidence and leadership in our ’22 and ’24 children at every level, pushing them beyond what they thought they were capable of achieving, and giving them lifetime connections. We want to ensure a Govs education is available to students from across the world and across all income levels. We’ve seen Govs support each and every student (even through COVID!); that makes us proud to be affiliated with Govs.”

The

37% Percentage of alumni who have made a gift to The Governor’s Fund in the last five years

Eden Davies ’03

Some of my greatest friendships were made at Govs, and that time period was so precious. I recognize the importance of providing financial support for the school. I reflect back fondly on my time at Govs, and hope to provide that for my children one day. Of course the academics, athletics, and arts were incredible, but often times it was the ‘extras’ of boarding school life that have made the most impact—the adults on campus who positively gave me the skills and experience that influenced my decision to be an educator and go on and get my doctorate in child psychology.”

Holly Zheng ’18

As an international student who came to the United States for the first time during high school, Govs was a turning point in my life. I was introduced to so many interesting things, people, and perspectives. I am very grateful for my experience and the genuine support I had within the Govs community. I contribute to the school so that current students can similarly enjoy their experience. Each year I dedicate part of my gift to the arts department. I became a dedicated musician because of the music faculty at Govs.”

435 Number of gifts to The Governor’s Fund directed toward financial aid in the last three years

8% Percentage of the FY22 operating budget supported by The Governor’s Fund

40% Parent contributions total 40% of The Governor’s Fund

Governor’s Fund drives everything we do.

THE GOVERNOR’S ACADEMY 1 ELM STREET BYFIELD, MA 01922

Go GOVS!

The top-seeded Govs Varsity Field Hockey team won the New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) Class B championship, defeating Suffield Academy in the quarterfinals (4–1), Brooks School in the semifinals (2–1), and Middlesex School (1–0) in the finals. The team was anchored by an all-senior defensive unit: Kate Burgess ’23, MingGe Daly ’23, Sadie Gearan ’23, and Erin Ohlenbusch ’23.