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Our History

McDonogh Voices

McDonogh Voices is a multi-year series of learning and discussion opportunities designed to give stories about our past a greater voice in McDonogh’s present and future. 

"A Place I Know" Podcast

In conjunction with McDonogh Voices and the School's 150th Anniversary, A Place I Know is a five-part series that engages the voices of McDonogh—voices that span generations and share pieces of our collective story. Shaped by Jon Aaron '72, who has worn many hats during his four decades at the School, the podcast is gleaned from more than 120 interviews.

The series is produced by former Upper School art teacher Match Zimmerman '02 who has beautifully blended Aaron’s poetic storytelling with reflections and music, all contributed by members of the McDonogh community.

The episodes will be posted as they are released in the spring of 2024.

 

Recalling unique memories and traditions, this episode illustrates McDonogh's strong community bond and the School's enduring spirit.

Focusing on personal narratives and the School's rich history, episode four covers tales from the symbolic registry to the clock tower — exploring identity, transformation, and the profound connections and stories that define the McDonogh community.

From wrestling to swimming, speakers in episode three share impactful experiences that underline the School's influence on personal growth and emphasize the lifelong connections within the McDonogh community.

Exploring McDonogh's campus history and natural allure, episode two recounts cherished memories and the environmental bond among the school community, highlighting significant trees and landscapes while reflecting on the School's spirit and educational uniqueness through personal stories.

Episode one traverses 150 years of McDonogh School. Enriched by personal stories from alumni and faculty, we spotlight the School's evolution from its 1873 founding to the present, underscoring the legacy of its traditions and community impact.

 

 

MCDONOGH VOICES WEBINARS

The McDonogh Voices webinar series was developed by a group of alumni historians and scholars in partnership with administrators, staff, and trustees. During the inaugural year in 2021-2022, programming focused on our understanding of history. During the 2022-2023 school year, McDonogh Voices looked at the alumni experience from the 1950s through the 1980s. As part of the School’s 150th Anniversary celebration during the 2023-2024 school year, the series concluded with sessions focusing on the 1990s through the present day.  

MCDONOGH TODAY: PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED

Moderator: Kevin Costa, Director of Innovation and Learning
Panelists: Teachers Cynthia Cox, Mickey Deegan, Nancy Fleury, Rob Smoot, and George Webb

Since its inception in 2014, LifeReady has provided a “North Star” orienting McDonogh’s approach to teaching and learning. In this session, a panel of teachers share how LifeReady has influenced their practice, and they share their thoughts about what’s in store for McDonogh’s academic program in the future.

View the recording.

THE 2010S: FINDING A BALANCE

Moderator: Carol Croxton, Director of Alumni Engagement
Historian: John Wood, Upper School History and Social Studies Teacher
Panelists: Jack Angel '18, Kimmy Hilson Carmichael '10, Dennis Chen '11, Alysa Delgado Misfeldt '12, and Ellis McKennie '15

Realizing the long-range goals of the Campus Master Plan to create large communal spaces and make the center of campus free of traffic, the School saw a dramatic change with the addition of the Naylor Building (2013), The Edward St. John Student Center (2013), and the Rosenberg Campus Green (2014). Charlie Britton, who cultivated a balance between tradition and progress during his tenure, turned over the reins to Dave Farace ’87 in 2018. 

View the recording.

THE 2000S: EMBRACING CHANGE

Moderator: Carol Croxton, Director of Alumni Engagement
Historian: Jessica Levy '04, Assistant Professor of History at Purchase College, SUNY
Panelists: Lexy Apostolou ’01, Greg Bernstein ’07, Tory Klein Hoffberger ’09, Malcolm Moses-Hampton ’08, and Farah Qureshi Nur ’04

The unveiling of McDonogh’s website in 2001 launched the School into a decade of adapting to evolving technology, embracing change in leadership, and confronting the challenges of economic volatility. 

View the recording. 

THE 1990S: COMMITMENT TO THE 21ST CENTURY

Moderator: Louis Hyman '95, The Dorothy Ross Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University
Panelists: David Holland '90, Kaylie Kassap George '94, Grace Jackson '95, Bryan Billig '97, and Jazmine Eldridge '99

The 1990s were marked by the introduction of kindergarten, the construction of the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Athletic Center and Clarence Burke Center for the Arts, and the School's 125th anniversary. 

View the recording. 

THE 1980S: AN ERA OF OPPORTUNITY

Moderator: Carol Croxton, Director of Alumni Engagement
Historian: Jessica Levy '04, Assistant Professor of History at Purchase College, SUNY
Panelists: Terry Booker ‘82, Alberto Diaz ‘89, Anna Dopkin ‘85, John Hung ‘84, and Aliya Qureshi Poshni ‘89

The 1980s saw the evolution of arts programming, athletic opportunities, divisional rituals such as closing ceremonies, and an intentional focus on the academic and emotional needs specific to students in each division. 

View the recording.

THE 1970S: TIMES OF TRANSITION

Moderator: Carol Croxton, Director of Alumni Engagement
Historian: Louis Hyman ’95, Professor and Director, Institute for Workplace Studies at Cornell University
Panelists: Wally Boston '72, Bethel Henry '78, LeRoy Katz '76, Ginger Kurapka Keener '77, and Norman Parker '73

The dawn of this decade saw the height of anti-Vietnam War protests — epitomized by the 1970 Kent State massacre — that presaged McDonogh’s dropping of its semi-military tradition in 1971. McDonogh became fully integrated in 1970, and the first Black graduate walked across Childs Memorial Terrace. The economic challenges of the time helped fuel an equally major shift to coeducation in 1975. 

View the recording.

THE 1950S AND 1960S: PROSPERITY AND PROTEST

Moderator: Carol Croxton, Director of Alumni Engagement
Historian: Ane Lintvedt, McDonogh Upper School History and Social Studies Teacher
Panelists: John Beever '50, Hank Chiles '56, John Sieverts '63, Mike Koppisch '60, and Tim Wright '66

The early 1950s witnessed the continuance of the Lamborn legacy as Doc Lamborn—the architect of McDonogh’s survival during The Depression and World War II—yielded his office to his son, Bob, who revamped the School’s academic program that would eventually eclipse the farm program. In the 1960s, the war in Vietnam could not muster the national unity achieved by World War II. The heroic image of the American military eroded as did the perception of the uniform on McDonogh’s campus and in the community. Also during this time, the first Black student was admitted to McDonogh under a plan of gradual integration. 

View the recording. 

DANCE PERFORMANCE BY NILE RUSSELL '00, NAANA BADU '00 AND JENN FORD '00

Using historical research as inspiration, Nile Russell ’00 and his collaborators, Naana Badu '00 and Jenn Ford '00, composed and performed a dance piece that explores several complementary concepts and themes. His work highlights the dichotomy and complexity of McDonogh (the person and the School), the importance of creating greatness in difficult times, and a forward vision of the McDonogh community’s future. 

Watch the performance.

THE MEMORIAL TO THOSE ENSLAVED AND FREED

Planning for a memorial to recognize and honor the enslaved peoples of John McDonogh was in the works for nearly two decades.  During this session, lead artist Oletha DeVane and artistic historical consultants Dr. Leslie King-Hammond and Dr. Lowery Sims discuss the evolution and meaning behind The Memorial to Those Enslaved and Freed.  

View the recording.

NEW UNDERSTANDING OF AMERICAN SLAVERY AND JOHN MCDONOGH

Historians Ken Lipartito, Ph.D. and Patricia A. Watson, Ph.D., the researchers and authors of Becoming McDonogh School, discuss slavery and the slave trade in the United States, Baltimore, and New Orleans, as well as John McDonogh's association with it. They also explain how other institutions with connections to slavery have analyzed and expressed their own pasts.

View the recording. 

HISTORY AND THE INCLUSION OF NEW VOICES

Nadine Knight ’95, Associate Professor of English and Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at College of the Holy Cross; Jessica Levy ’04, Assistant Professor of History at Purchase College, SUNY; and Upper School history teacher John Wood provide an overview of how history is understood and communicated and how various institutions and their disciplines have evolved in their understanding of the stories they tell about people who have been overlooked.

View the recording.

GALLERY EXHIBIT FEATURING ARTIST AKEA BRIONNE

Artist Akea Brionne is a photographer, writer, curator, and researcher whose personal work investigates the implications of historical racial and social structures in relation to the development of contemporary black life and identity within America.  A collection of Akea’s photographs was displayed in the Tuttle Gallery from November 15 through December 15, 2021.

Learn more about the exhibit from the artist.