Fall 2005 PDF - Milton Academy

Academy. Jorge was singularlyfocused on what was best forMilton.Jorge joined the board in 1993at the moment when the boardwas launching Milton’s first$50 million capital campaign.(As always, his timing is impeccable.)Throughout that campaign,and through the ensuingyears, Jorge has sounded the callfor Milton’s endowment. Wewill hear Jorge’s voice fromCalifornia long after this meeting,asking us whether our newprojects include an endowmentcomponent.The endowment that Jorge hasled does important work. One ofthe most important jobs, Jorgehas always believed, is fundingfinancial aid. “Many young peopleshare innate aptitude,” Jorgestated at the launching of thelast capital campaign, “but withoutthe financial support and theparticular education that Miltonprovides, they may not be able tolearn to believe in themselves,nor would they acquire the skillsthat allow them to compete onthe same level as others whoseparents can afford this education.”Jorge’s generous financialsupport for Milton has alwayshelped include students whowould not otherwise be here. Infact, outside of his work forMilton, Jorge has been deeplycommitted to education forHispanic youth, and to action onpolitical campaigns that affectAmericans of color.An advocate for diversifyingMilton in all ways, Jorge encouragedus to find trustees fromacross the country as a memberof the Trustees Committee. As amember of the EnrollmentCommittee, he conveyed hisconviction that the Los Angelesarea was a rich field for our EastCoast, highly academic boardingschool. Jorge also often hostedour California alumni—amongthe most imaginative and engagingof all our alumni—at WestCoast events, keeping Milton’sbanner front and center on thePacific Coast.Jorge has helped shape Milton’sfinancial strength and educationalidentity over the last 12 years.Jorge, we hope you feel gratifiedby the role you have played inMilton history. These have beenyears of significant change andprogress at the Academy.Although you may make fewertrips to campus in the nearfuture, we hope you keep Miltonclose in every way.Edward Dugger IIIMilton Academy Board of Trustees1997–2005“Well here’s the way I see it….”Ed often said, transforming astalemate into an action plan bymoving from these introductorywords to a key insight or perspectivethat solved the gnarlyproblem du jour. Ed is a thinkerwho knows what makes Miltontick, cares deeply about whathappens and can—better thanmost of us—integrate plans andprojections to describe the outcome(impact) we should expect.That he does so with diplomacyand grace made him an especiallyvaluable player in our deliberativesessions.The immediacy and power of thethree Dugger children’s experiencesalways enhanced Ed’s perspectiveon the changes we contemplated.Cyrus, Class of 1998,Langston, Class of 2000 andChloe, Class of 2002, were allmembers of the 13-year club, andwere all shining stars at Miltonwho sought out different aspectsof Milton to fulfill their significantpotential. His experience asa Milton parent made Ed a powerfulsupporter of the LowerSchool; a champion of athletics,arts, and community service;a voice for paying attention tothe value of the day studentcommunity in the Upper Schoolmix that is Milton. Ed also clearlyand thoughtfully made thecase for the essential linksbetween the divisions of thisK–12 school, and consistentlymade sure that fulfilling ourmission included a deep andenduring K–12 experience.The importance of Ed’s work onthe Architectural Steering Committeewas not lost on Robin.She counted on Ed’s keen aestheticeye and openness to theimportance of design. Ed’s clearfocus on the right look and functionguided the group whetherthey were choosing carpet orconsidering the feasibility ofrunning a snack bar. “It’s notjust about economics” Ed wouldsay, “it’s about what works andwhat is right for the students.”Our new buildings are beautifuland they work as they wereintended to, thanks in large partto Ed’s ability to help synthesizeideas into functional architectureat prices we could afford.At moments carefully chosen,Ed spoke from the heart aboutissues that are at the core of ourmission and the board listened.The Dugger family figuresprominently in Milton’s traditionof excellence. Ed himself servedon the Budget Committee, theStudent Life Committee andchaired the Lower SchoolCommittee; but as a family, theDuggers have been part of theaction as the School changedand strengthened over 17 years.Those years, and the Duggers’prodigious list of accomplishmentsin every arena of schoollife, form a collective Miltonlegacy. They represent the permanentbond between you andMilton Academy. We are honoredby that bond and we aregrateful for our time together.Helen Lin ’80Milton Academy Board of Trustees1997–2005“Helen has a strong will to succeedand the ability to work withgreat concentration and dedication;she strives for perfection,”her School records say. AsMilton’s advocate and taskmasterin Hong Kong, Helen tried topush us toward perfection aswell. Is it possible to meetHelen’s standards? She setsthem high to match her love forMilton and commitment toMilton’s future. Helen foundedthe Hong Kong AlumniAssociation: she shepherdedboth Headmaster Ed Fredie andHead of School Robin Robertsonover the years—as well as assortedstudents, including theChamber Orchestra—duringtheir visits to Hong Kong. Shestrengthened our relationshipswith graduates and parents, andfacilitated the connections thatculminate in great students forMilton and crucial financial supportfor our programs. With“unwavering persistence andattentiveness,” as the facultyhere described her attributes in1979, Helen served Milton inAsia. Helen’s father was one ofthe charter donors who foundedthe Hong Kong Scholarship;Helen’s carefully nurtured networkof Milton supportershelped that generosity expand toinclude the Hong KongDistinguished Speaker Series(1998) and The Hong KongChair in Asian Studies (1998).Today these gifts bring to Miltonstudents speakers and celebrationsof Asian culture thatbroaden and enrich students’awareness.When Helen was able to travel toMilton for board meetings shetended to the campus-sideaspects of our aspirations inAsia. She was focused and spiritedin making sure that theEnrollment Committee, theExternal Relations Committeeand the Student Life Committeeunderstood the opportunities forMilton with international studentsand families. We arecounting on Helen continuingher dedication to Milton, in spiritand deed, and we are gratefulfor her many years of active serviceto her School.67 Milton Magazine