The Storm King School Alumni Council

January 12, 2025

Meeting Summary

The Storm King School Alumni Council met on January 12, 2025 in person and on Zoom.  Second Vice President resident Michael Pock ’94 chaired the meeting and Secretary Lynn Crevling ‘72 served as secretary.  

The following Alumni Council members were in attendance in person: Richard Bailey ‘02, Symeon Braxton ’94, Scott Cantor ’73, Lauren Ferrara ’97, Jim Perlberg ’70, Michael Pock ‘94, and Lisa Veyka ‘83. 

The following Alumni Council members were in attendance on Zoom: Jordan Golding ’20, Paul Jerry ’69, Jim Perlberg ’70 and Ross Sober ’92.

Council members not in attendance were Jaime Cunningham ‘16, Jodie Gerson ’91, Jack Liu ’11 and Dominique Manpel “79.  

Trustee Emeritus Michael Brower ‘63 and President Board president Bob Ginsburg ’72 attended on Zoom, and Trustee Emeritus Steve Duffy ’71 attended in person.

Sarah Fulton ’09, Faculty member Sophia Grausso ’20, and Head of School Lisa Shambaugh represented The Storm King School.

Opening Remarks

Second Vice President Pock called the meeting to order at 11:05 am and welcomed members and guests.  Attendees introduced themselves with brief updates.

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Pock presented the minutes from the last meeting on September 24, 2024.  Paul Jerry made a motion for approval and the motion was seconded by Mr. Pock.  Mr. Pock called for discussion, changes, or corrections.  Hearing none, members voted and the minutes were approved unanimously.

 

Head of School Report

Lisa Shambaugh’s slides are attached.  Ms. Shambaugh provided highlights, including the admission of eight new students joining the community for the second semester, exceeding the goal of five.  She reported that the Board of Trustees is continuing the strategic planning process over the coming months, to be unveiled in the spring or early summer. At the same time, the whole school has been engaged in the 10-year accreditation.  A self-study will be written this year, involving researching and thinking about, and answering questions on every aspect of school. 

Ms. Shambaugh commented that the first regional “Meet the New Head” event was in Maryland and a second one was held in Atlanta at the home of trustee Ken Goldwasser, both with a nice turnout.  Ms. Shambaugh said that the “What’s Coming Up” young alumni event was terrific last Thursday and was a good chance to meet recent alumni and hear their experiences. 

She also reported that long-time faculty member Dennis Costello retired, and Djazmina Guerrier has joined the staff as a history and social sciences teacher.  Another opening was filled with Cindy Gue-Waugh who has joined, with her family, as dorm parents in Lowmount.  Assistant Head for Finance and Operations Ray Hecht is in his final year at SKS and candidates are being considered.  

With regard to the physical plant, the bathroom on the main level of Cottage was renovated, and another bathroom will be renovated over the spring break. A brand-new weight room is imminent. 

Ms. Shambaugh also reported that the school has received significant and transformative gifts from alumni for the new academic building exceeding the $2 M mark, a threshold that allows the school to start seeking building approvals.  The school will still need to raise an additional $1 M to complete the building, and will continue with fundraising toward that goal.

Development and Alumni Update

Director of Annual Giving and Development Coordinator Sarah Fulton shared a presentation (attached). She reported the gifts to The Storm King Fund to date as $114,524.  A listing of regional events and of on-campus events was also shared.  

Lynn Crevling continues to work on Career Day, to be held after classes and before dinner this year, seeking to have as many day students attend as possible.  

Ms. Fulton reported on an alumni survey, with 83 alumni completing it.  The class with the most surveys completed was the class of 1974. Among all the surveys, overall satisfaction with the experience at Storm King was rated positively and respondents felt that Storm King prepared them for their career and academics well.  Alumni respondents reported that they feel very connected or somewhat connected to Storm King since graduating, with 26% of respondents reporting that they occasionally participate in SKS events, 15% reporting that they attend frequently and 43% rarely attend.  Of those who responded to the survey, 75% said that they have given to SKS.  Open-ended questions included “What does SKS do well?”.  Respondents said that it’s a supportive and close community, and it prepared them for college and success in their lives. When asked for future vision for SKS, respondents expressed a sense of positive momentum happening right now with Lisa as Head of School and campus improvements. Alumni want to be included in strategic planning and want to see SKS continue to prioritize academic rigor, build/maintain diversity, retain small school values, and prepare students for a global society. Ensuring access to an SKS education was important, with concern about high tuition as a potential barrier, and maintaining the close-knit community feel was an important part of the vision.  Respondents also noted the need to upgrade dormitories and ensure environmental sustainability. The alumni who responded to the survey noted that SKS is maintaining excellence, fostering traditions, engaging alumni, and doing creative fundraising. Ms. Fulton said that she needs to continue to work with the data responses.  

Ms. Fulton summarized by saying that she will dive further into the responses to seeing who was writing comments and reaching out to them to understand their feelings individually for moving forward.

Ms. Veyka asked the reasons that people say that they are not engaged with alumni events, and what can be done to bridge that gap?  Ms. Fulton said this would be looked into individually.  Is it that some of these people live far away?   Ms. Fulton replied that moving forward, we’re going to know and it would be possible to see where that individual is located and if we can, have an event where they are.  Ms. Fulton noted that the respondents were predominantly American. 

Ms. Shambaugh commented that she would like to see more engagement of international alumni, noting that in her first year, she wanted to be on campus as much as possible, but next year, there will be a look at international destinations like China where we have a lot of alumni and parents.

Ms. Crevling commented that, with regard to the comment about high tuition barriers, she wondered if respondents were aware of the extent to which SKS provides financial aid and support to remove those barriers for students who are a good fit here. Alumni may not know that there are, increasingly, resources to make the school accessible. 

Nominating Committee Report

Ross Sober reported for the Nominating Committee in Chair Dominique Manpel’s absence.  He welcomed Simeon Braxton as a new member and thanked him for joining the Council.  Mr. Sober asked attendees to bring candidates for the Alumni Council to his attention. There are still vacancies on the Council for representation in 1960-69, 2000-2009 and 2020-2024.

Mr. Sober said that the Committee will work on the Alumni Council Constitution and report at the spring meeting.  The Committee will take a look at constitutions from other schools, and is open to Council members’ suggestions. The Nominating Committee will also report/bring actions regarding members whose terms are concluding:  Paul Jerry, Jack Lui and possibly Dominique Manpel.

Outreach and Development Committee Report

Committee Chair Lauren Ferrara reported on the recent meeting of the Outreach and Development Committee and the event called “What’s Coming Up” that was held earlier that week with 12 young alumni presenting from the classes of 2017 to 2024, and one young alumna who attended who hadn’t started college yet.

Ms. Ferrara commented that she was impressed with the turnout of young alumni and how passionate the students were about sharing their experiences, noting that the college years can involve pivots and still turn out well.  Jordan Golding was the emcee, doing an incredible job running the whole evening. Mr. Golding commented that his heart was full after leaving the event because he enjoys any opportunity to come back and the opportunity to engage with the Storm King community. He appreciated the current staff showing up and giving support and energy. He was impressed with the students – they were engaged, giving good responses and had good energy.  Ogden Hall was full.  Mr. Golding added that he appreciates The Alumni Council in general and thinks that “as we continue to put this energy and focus into whatever we’re doing, that we can get a desired outcome or exceed it.  I’m still on a natural high from a few days after.”

Mr. Golding asked Sophia Grausso ’20, who is now on the SKS faculty, to reflect on the event.  She agreed that the energy of the room stood out, “Everyone really wanted to hear what the next thing was, and I think it gave us a lot of really good connection.” Her takeaway was that the event went well, and she’s excited to do it again next year, making some changes to improve it.  “As a teacher and being very invested in the academic journeys of all of the kids coming through it was super important that we emphasize getting someone’s number, get someone’s email, get the contact information you need to reach out. I know in college, that was really difficult for me, and I wish I’d started a little bit sooner.”

Ms. Ferrara closed by encouraging/sharing the SKS Alumni LinkedIn Group and that Council members help to make it more active. She also reminded members about 

giving to the Storm King Fund, recognizing that a lot of us always participate with our ideas, our time, and effort, but participating financially is what makes all of these events possible.  The fiscal year is July 1 to June 30th and alumni are encouraged to give earlier, rather than later, in the year – in other words, as soon as possible. No amount is too small to help. 

Awards Committee Report

Awards Committee Chair Paul Jerry reported that the Awards Committee had met on January 4 and is bringing actions to the Council. Council members received information about the awards candidates being proposed.  

For The Sports Hall of Fame, four alumni nominated Jerry Carballo, class of 90, as an exceptional and natural athlete with terrific sportsmanship in basketball, lacrosse, and cross country. Dr. Jerry moved to induct Jerry Carballo into the Sports Hall of Fame.  Lisa Veyka seconded the motion.  With no discussion or questions, a vote was called and the motion passed unanimously.

Dr. Jerry presented the Alumni Arts Award next after extensive discussion with the Arts volunteers and Awards Committee. Arts volunteer David Hartcorn ’73 approached Andrew Holbrook, class of 1965. a graduate of New York University School of Arts. Dr. Jerry referred participants to the information about his awards and visibility in his field of photojournalism, and that he is also a cinematographer.   Dr. Jerry moved to select Andrew Holbrooke as the recipient of the 2025 Alumni Arts Award.  Jim Perlberg seconded the motion. Hearing no questions or conversation, a vote was called and the motion passed unanimously.

Dr. Jerry asked Mr. Perlberg to present the candidate for the SKS Humanitarian Award.  Mr. Perlberg stated that the awards committee is bringing a recommendation for Chris Cavallo, class of 1970, as this year’s recipient.  Mr. Perlberg relayed that Mr. Cavallo tragically lost both his first wife and one of his twin daughters to fentanyl and 

started the Robin Foundation to create awareness and provide NARCAN kits throughout Southern Florida, working with many community partners. Mr. Pock expressed his appreciation for the importance of this work and made the motion for Chris Cavallo, class of 70, to be the recipient of the 2025 Humanitarian Award. Mr. Perlberg moved for approval and the motion was seconded by Dr. Jerry.  With no further comments or questions, a vote was taken and the motion was approved unanimously.  

New Business

Mr. Pock asked if alumni could come up for either lunch with the students, or dinner, separate from the Career Night, and people could send their availability to Ms. Crevling. She responded that alumni do come and are always welcome if they let our office know they are coming. Ms. Grausso added that teachers might be open to the idea that if any alumni have a certain specialty that they would like to share, they might come speak to classes.  Ms. Crevling replied that alumni do come in and speak to classes, with one person most recently teaching calligraphy to an art class this year.  In the past, alumni have come to science classes, economics classes, law classes – wherever there’s a fit with a class being offered.  Ms. Crevling will share when formal dinners are held if Council members have an interest in attending, and a meal with student leaders could also be arranged.

Dr. Jerry asked if SKS has a dedicated guidance counselor and staff responded that we do have a full-time college counselor, Dan Constantinidi, who does a great job with college placements with a one-on-one intensive and personalized approach. 

Dr. Jerry asked if SKS is becoming known as a jump start to engineering or for anything else in particular? Ms. Crevling commented that SKS covers the gamut, including engineering, the arts and a great deal in between.   Ms. Shambaugh relayed that students are drawn to the breadth of our programs more than a specific area of specialty. SKS has had great placements in college for engineering, and we are known for art school placements and, in general, great college placements.  Mr. Golding, a 2020 graduate, stated that he felt that whatever college you wanted, whatever you wanted to do there, there would be somebody and a system to support you at SKS. 

Chair of the SKS Board of Trustees, Robert Ginsburg ’72, who attended an Alumni Council meeting for the first time since he has been chairing said that he was glad to be there and, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, he wanted to thank Council members for their commitment to Storm King School.  He added that the role of the Alumni Association or Council is a vital one on a lot of different fronts for developing and continuing the connection between the school community and alumni and that the Board of Trustees appreciates the hard work.

Ms. Veyka commented that the company where she works (S & P Global) has internship opportunities for young alums who are still in college, including summer internships.  She said that she can post them on LinkedIn, but as we know, driving people to LinkedIn is a bit of a challenge. The college counselor may have ideas.  

Mr. Ginsburg added that one of the things that the Board of Trustees has charged Ms. Shambaugh with doing is to increase the profile of the school in the Hudson Valley and also with businesses in New York City. He noted that there are a lot of opportunities with other educational institutions, such as nearby Vassar and with businesses in the community where our students can get real life experience. “Lisa has been very effective in a short period of time, reaching out to Vassar and also making sure that she’s known in the local community. She’s had a meal with the mayor, she’s been to the Storm King Arts Center and, we really think that we need to do a better job of making the surrounding community understand what sits on the mountain and how it benefits their community, and develop these relationships. One of our goals on the Board is to have some members on the Board that are not alums of the school that will bring a different perspective.”

Mr. Ginsburg relayed a story, explaining that he has spent a great deal of his career as a lawyer representing colleges, universities, and athletic departments. Recently, Texas Christian University in Fort Worth lost its athletic director to the University of South Carolina and the candidate selected was the parent of a recent alumna and was very pleased with her experience at SKS. 

Mr. Pock asked if we have any alumni affected by the fires out in Los Angeles.  Staff responded that we’ll reach out to them from the school and express our support and concern. 

Adjournment

Mr. Pock moved to adjourn, Dr. Jerry seconded the motion and a vote was taken and passed to adjourn at 12:17 pm.  

Respectfully submitted,

Lynn Crevling ‘72

Alumni Council Secretary