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| Bridgton Academy E-Newsletter | June 2010 |
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Greetings!
Welcome to the first summer edition of the BA e-news. We've updated our look a bit, with new easy-to-access links for quick BA-browsing! Much has happened on campus the past month - which is part of the reason for a small delay in recent e-news communications - our apologies! Life has been busy with graduation of the Class of 2010, Board of Trustee meetings, and Reunion Weekend. Going forward, please plan to receive one BA e-news per month during July and August, with the regular bi-weekly schedule resuming at the start of the school year. We hope this email finds you doing well and enjoying the nice summer weather! Here is some of the latest from BA: |
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| 2009-2010 Annual Fund Set to Close June 30th - The 2010 Annual Fund is wrapping up its final days. All donors to the fund will be recognized this summer in Bridgton's Annual Report of Giving. If you would like to see your name listed, it's not too late. To make an Annual Fund gift simply fill out our online giving form, or call Jessica Priola at (207) 647-7657. Thank you for your gifts in support of BA! |
 A Diploma 64 Years Later - Bridgton Academy was honored to name Mrs. Phyllis Wakefield Adams to the Class of 2010 on Saturday, May 8th. Phyllis, originally a member of the BA Class of 1946, was unable to finish her senior year at Bridgton due to personal reasons, but the completion of her BA studies was never far from her mind. When she accepted her diploma at Commencement, she was greeted by a standing ovation from the young men of the Class of 2010. While giving the benediction, 2010 grad Jarrell Greene said "I leave here with 150 new brothers, and one new sister." Click here to read Dean of Faculty Fletcher Carr's speech in honor of Mrs. Wakefield. |
| Congratulations Class of 2010 - On Saturday, May 8th, the young men who had lived and worked at Bridgton Academy for the past nine-months walked across the stage and received their diplomas. Hundreds of friends and family members were in attendance, along with the Bridgton faculty and members of the Board of Trustees. BA is excited to welcome the Class of 2010 to our Alumni family! To view a college matriculation list for the class, please click here. |
 After Many Years of Service - BA recently honored several faculty members at their annual employee recognition dinner, two of who are retiring after many years of service. Mrs. Susan Cole will be retiring as BA Controller after thirty-five years working for the Bridgton administration. Mr. Bill Bearse will retire after over thirty years of working as a faculty member, dorm parent, and coach. Congratulations go out to both Sue and Bill, you will be missed!
In addition to these Mrs. Cole and Mr. Bearse, Director of Development Chris Harlow will also be retiring in June. Coach Brad Smith, Coach Drew Inzer and Mrs. Stacey Inzer, Coach Kevin Mellon, and Coach Brian Roche '93 are all moving on to new opportunities beyond BA. We are also excited to announce some new hires and position changes. Mr. Mark Goodwin has been hired as the Accounting Specialist to work in the Business Office, and Mrs. Deb Kutowsi will work as the Human Resources Specialist. Coach Joe Sawicki has been promoted to serve as Interim Athletic Director, and Jessica Priola will be serving as the Annual Fund Director and Development Office Manager as of July 1. Bridgton Academy is currently seeking applicants for a number of positions. To view our employment opportunities, please click here. |
 New Laferriere Chair Selected - For four years, Pete Gately held the honor of being the inaugural recipient of the James "Jake" Laferriere Chair of Excellence in Teaching. In 2009, the selection process began for Pete's successor. The Laferriere Chair, one of Bridgton's highest faculty honors, was established by the family of Andrew Barr '99. The Chair recognizes one faculty member who embodies characteristics possessed by the late Jake Laferriere, a former BA teacher. These characteristics include mastery of your discipline, and deep caring for your students as both a teacher and mentor. The second recipient of the Laferriere Chair was publicly announced at Commencement, and the honoree is long-time faculty member Peter Horne. As the Laferriere Chair, Pete will receive funds to be used for professional development, as well as serve as a leader among BA faculty. Congratulations to Mr. Horne for this honor! |
| Want to Hear More About BA Basketball? - A quarterly e-news devoted strictly to Bridgton basketball will soon be sent to all BA basketball alumni. If you are interested in receiving the Basketball e-news and are not a former BA basketball player, please email "Basketball" to alumni@bridgtonacademy.org. Basketball will still be covered in Bridgton's e-news, however the basketball supplement will contain more in-depth stories for fans of Wolverine basketball. |
 Another Wolverine Heads to Chicago - Diogo Gidoi '05 is the third Wolverine in BA lacrosse history to be drafted to the Major League Lacrosse team Chicago Machine. Gidoi follows in the footsteps of fellow BA alumni Steve Brooks '03 and Terry Kimener '04. Terry still holds an active spot on the Machine roster. Gidoi was the 13th overall pick in the 2010 MLL draft. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Diogo was an all-American defender highly regarded for his size, speed, and athleticism. |
 Bridgton Academy Honors Co-Ed History - Fifty years ago, the Class of 1960 graduated, marking the end of an era in Bridgton Academy history. For several years leading up to that date, Headmaster Dick Goldsmith was gradually working to shift Bridgton to a single-sex institution. The number of girs attending Bridgton began to fall dramatically during this time of transitition, with just a few girls graduating with the Class of 1960. On Saturday, June 5th, BA honored the Ladies of BA with a special tea in the Humanities Center Library. Not only were many of our female alumni in attendance, but also a number of the women who have spent years of their lives working at BA - as faculty, dorm mothers, administrators, advisers, and more. The Ladies of BA are a special group, and care deeply for Bridgton Academy. It may be argued that these women are some of the strongest BA patriots around - for example, Betty Maxfield '30 was at Reunion Weekend this year celebrating her 80th Reunion! For eight decades Ms. Maxfield has come back to BA to honor her time here as a student. The Ladies of BA hope to continue to meet annually, as well as explore ways they can help Bridgton Academy. The tea was wonderful with stories, treats, and memories shared. We look forward to hosting you all again soon! |
 Dr. Jonathan Welch '61 and 1969 Undefeated Football Team Inducted into Hall of Fame - On Saturday, June 5th, over a hundred alumni, family, faculty, and friends gathered in the Bridgton Academy Memorial Gym for the 8th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This year marked the first time in BA Hall history that a team was inducted. Over twenty members of the 1969 Undefeated Football Team, Class of 1970, were present for the event. Coach Leon Harriman and former player Steve Corbett '70 spoke on behalf of the team. A highlight reel from the '69 season was played following their induction. Not only was this a great honor for the team, but the induction was also a wonderful chance for the teammates to get together - many of whom had not seen each other since leaving Bridgton.
The BA Hall of Fame was also extremely proud to name Dr. Jonathan Welch '61 to the 2010 Class. Dr. Welch was a highly regarded finance and economics professor, who spent the bulk of his career teaching at Northeastern. He received many accolades throughout his career, and always carried a love for BA. Dr. Welch sadly passed away recently after a battle with cancer. Accepting on his behalf at the induction was his grandson, Matt Harriman, who was a member of Bridgton Academy's Class of 2010. Hall of Fame nominations come from you! If you would like to nominate an alumnus or faculty member (current or former) to the Hall of Fame, please send your nominations to Chairman Matt Burgess '88. |
 Reunion Weekend Fun Time for All - This year's Reunion featured good weather, good music, good food, and great people. The events started off on Friday with the Fuller-Avery Alumni Golf Classic. Over fifty golfers turned out for the scramble. A special thank you to all of our sponsors of this event! Festivities resumed on Saturday with the Hall of Fame, Ladies Tea, Songo River Queen Cruise, and the Reunion Banquet on Saturday night, followed by music and dancing. The Class of 1970 dominated the dance floor, and George "Elvis" Reed even performed several of his favorite Elvis classics. To check out photos from Reunion Weekend 2010, please click here. Thank you to all who participated! |
 1984 Alumnus Publishes Debut Novel: Sean Reardon, a member of BA's Class of 1984, has just put the finishing touches on his debut crime-thrilled titled "Mindjacker." Reardon, who remembers Freeman Whitney as the best English teacher he ever had, shared with the BA Facebook community that an early electronic release of the novel is now available, with a print version expected in July. Click here to read an excerpt from Sean's novel. |
Class Reps Wanted - Are you wondering if there is an extra way you can help BA? Consider volunteering as a Class Rep. The main job of a Class Rep is to organize and communicate with their class. This year, we particularly would like to see Reps from the year's ending in 6's and 1's - as these classes will be celebrating milestone Reunions in 2011. Bridgton Academy needs the support of alumni - and there is no one better to appeal to fellow alumni then someone who has walked in the same shoes. If you want to work to rally your Class in support of Bridgton - whether to get them to attend an event, make a special gift to BA, or even just get back in touch with each other, please contact Jess Priola in the Development Office by email or call (207) 647-7657. |
 Student Union Project Underway - Thanks to the generous gifts of a group of trustees, alumni, and friends, construction of the new BA Student Union has officially begun. The Student Union, to be housed in the old North Bridgton Church, will be a separate place for BA students to congregate, relax, and enjoy a bite to eat. The Union will feature a kitchen and grill, comfortable seating, games, and a wide-screen television. Bridgton plans to have the Student Union open for use for the incoming Class of 2011. Look for updates on this project in the near future!
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