July 28, 2023
Hello Friends,
It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce myself to The Albany Academies community. Having now spent more than three weeks in my role as Chief Advancement Officer, and without reservation, it is clear to me how much passion for The Academies exists within our community. From meeting alumnae/alumni who serve as volunteer leaders, students, faculty, and staff on campus during the summer, I have witnessed that pride in the school and unwavering dedication to academic excellence abound. It is a great privilege to lead your advancement team to strengthen engagement and philanthropic support in service of our students and faculty.
Having spent much of my career at independent schools, I have been very impressed with the various ways community members thoughtfully engage with the school and remain steadfast in preserving our mission. “The Albany Academies coordinate single-sex and coeducational learning environments to develop diligent students of high character who become curious, critical thinkers.”
The 2023-2024 school year promises to be one of change in pursuit of alignment to fulfill our mission. I invite you to join us, like others before us, to collectively strive to provide opportunities for our students to grow and develop, as our graduates have done in the past, in becoming the changemakers the world needs. I look forward to meeting you and learning more about your experience with The Albany Academies.
|
|
Thanking Ann
As Ann Wendth mentioned in our last Happenings, she and I have spent meaningful time working together to ensure a smooth transition. In the short few weeks that we’ve shared, I’ve learned so much about The Albany Academies and the incredible efforts that Ann has led during her 16-year tenure. I am both impressed and humbled by her work shaping and strengthening our incredible institution. Even though I know our paths will continue to cross professionally, and on behalf of our community, I extend a heartfelt and deep thank you to Ann. We wish her the very best as she makes a meaningful difference at her alma mater, Providence College.
|
|
Opportunities for Alumnae/i participation
Since the end of COVID restrictions, many of you have let us know that you would welcome more opportunities to engage with our current students. Our office is working with faculty leaders, the Alumnae Association, and the Alumni Association to schedule a variety of options for your participation in the upcoming school year such as running activities at Homecoming, taking part in Speed Mentoring and the Alumnae/i Speaker Series, hosting interns for May Projects, hosting student groups on Community Service days, presenting at assemblies or masterclasses, and becoming Science Fair judges. Once we have finalized the dates and details, we will send a link for a sign-up form. Look for this in early September. We hope to see you on campus this year!
|
|
Long time teacher and rocket instructor's finale
For the last 26 years, retired Albany Academies teacher and rocketry camp instructor Bob Neudel has been launching rockets at the school and teaching students and campers that they, too, can be rocketeers. Last week Mr. Neudel launched his last rocket before retiring from summer camp. Alumnae/i that were both campers and camp counselors for Bob's rocket camp joined him to celebrate his last launch. During his time at The Albany Academies, campers and students have been amazed by his knowledge and guidance in creating, painting, and launching their very own rockets. We wish Bob congratulations and best wishes on his retirement. He will be missed!
|
|
Admissions office all summer
The Academies’ Admissions Office is open throughout the summer and welcomes prospective students in grades 1 – 12 to take a tour. If you are interested or know someone who is interested please visit our admissions webpage or contact Shellie Carr, Director of Admissions, at 518.429.2348 or carrs@albanyacademies.org.
|
|
Mark your calendars!
Please mark your calendars with these important upcoming events:
First Chapel/Alumni Breakfast - Friday, September 8, 2023
Legacy of Dreams – Friday, September 29, 2023
Homecoming – Saturday, September 30, 2023
Spring Gathering – Saturday, April 20, 2024
Reunion - May 16-18, 2024
Golf Outing – Monday, June 17, 2024
|
|
Please note: We made a change recently and plan to include Class Notes as a regular part of our Happenings newsletter. Our intent is to get these news items to you more quickly than we are able to if we include them in the A2 magazine. We hope this will help you learn about what your classmates are up to in a more timely manner. Also, seeing Class Notes more regularly might inspire our alumni/ae to send their news items to our office more frequently so we can share them with you. To that end, if you would like to submit a class note for publication please send it to pallutin@albanyacademies.org.
|
|
1984: Dr. John Johnson ’84 contributes to the archives
Last week alumnus John Johnson ’84 stopped by with a rare and wonderful offering for our archives. "The Top Flight at Number One La Fayette Street" by W. L. L. Peltz, was privately printed in 1939. The cover page describes the work as 'Portraits and something of the careers of the seventeen former presidents of the Board of Trustees at The Albany Academy; together with reproductions of their signatures as shown sometimes on irrelevant documents; views of certain of their domiciles; as well as other collateral facts and tabulations compiled by the eighteenth incumbent of their honored office, and, within his limitations, the sedulous emulator W. L. L. Peltz. There were giants in the earth in those days.” Dr. Johnson does an occasional search of eBay for items of interest related to The Albany Academies, which is how he came upon this find. John currently holds the position of Deputy State Superintendent for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, was appointed to the Wisconsin State Arts Board by the Governor, and is a Lay Leader in the Episcopal Church. We hope to see him join his classmates for their 40th Reunion in May of 2024!
|
|
Please be sure to let us know if you have some news to share. We love reading about what you’re up to. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer! |
|
Joe Cheeseman
Chief Advancement Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
