Letter from the Director of Alumni Relations

Dear Friends,

Our theme this year is powerful and reflects our dedication to Quaker values - Grounded in Spirit, Growing in Community. This year Friends Seminary celebrates its 240th academic year, an incredible milestone with an enduring legacy built and sustained by generations of committed students, staff, faculty, parents and alumni.

As Faculty and staff returned to 16th street in August, during our first all staff meeting, Interim Head of School, Rich Nourie asked staff to join in groups of three or four with people from departments they do not regularly work with, for a team building exercise. My group included English Teacher, Tommy Fagin '09 and Front Desk Associate, Ian Sanois. It was great to learn how we all ended up at Friends and the cultural diversity amongst us. Tommy, from Argentina, Ian from Trinidad and myself from Kenya.

Our goal each year is to offer a variety of opportunities for our alumni community to remain connected with the School and each other. A special thank you to Elizabeth Robert '91 for offering discounted tickets to the Paul Taylor Dance Company Event on Thursday, November 13 at Lincoln Center, a reception will take place prior to the performance. 

We would like to continue to build on the engagement and to move out in the communities where our alumni live and work. In fact, we are excited to resume our regional visits to alumni outside of New York. Gatherings for Friends Alumni in towns near you will take place between February and April next year, with dates to be finalized soon. A big thank you to the following coordinators and hosts, Atlanta (Meredith Evans '90), Boston (Jeremy Yamin '83), Los Angeles (Joanna August '02) and San Francisco (Andrew Owen '78). If you live in any of these cities and are interested in attending or would like to host a gathering please contact me. 

A big shout out to Heather Cross '86 and Judd Kessler '00 who both recently had books published.

Please let us know about any employment or professional updates, so we can keep our directory up to date. Please contact me if you or your company is:

•  Hiring or will be hiring summer interns 

• If you are an artist, work in a gallery or studio and are looking for an assistant. 

Send any relevant information that can be shared with your fellow alumni.

Make sure to read through this newsletter and mark your calendar for upcoming events, hear news from fellow alums and other updates from 16th Street. Join us for an event, stop by for a tour, share with us your good news, and continue to keep in touch with your friends from Friends Seminary.   

In stewardship,

Michael Mudho

Director of Alumni Relations

Pictured above: Friends Alum and Friends English Teacher, Tommy Fagin '09, Front Desk Associate, Ian Sanois and Director of Alumni Relations, Michael Mudho