June 10-13, 2021
The safety and well-being of you, your family, your classmates, and all members of the school community are of greatest importance to us. It is with this in mind that we are disappointed to announce that we are canceling an in-person Reunion Weekend 2021. But with this cancellation comes new opportunities for us to connect virtually—starting with a Party in a Box and a Distinguished Speaker Series. Please read on for more information.
An essential part of Reunion Weekend is celebrating our alumni and their unique and varied accomplishments and paths in life. This speaker series will do just that by offering the chance for reunion alumni—and all members of the school community—to hear from a who’s who of interesting people from Mercersburg’s 0s, 1s, 5s, and 6s.
February
25
Recording available
Navigating Conversations about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Gardner Dean Patterson Jr. ’71, John Henry Jr. ’91, P ’23, Chris Howes, and Leela Woody
March
4
Recording available
The Great Outdoors: Take a Deep Breath
Paige Harry ’10, Carson White ’16, Michael Yu ’16, and Pete Gunkelman
Paige Harry ’10, Carson White ’16, and Michael Yu ’16 join faculty member Pete Gunkelman to share how their past involvement in Mercersburg Outdoor Education helped them stay energized and enthusiastic about their careers and about life during a pandemic.
March
18
Recording available
“long/run”: Stories of America
Charlie Bell ’71 with faculty member Jim Malone P ’01, ’03 and faculty emerita Sue Malone P ’01, ’03
In his 10,000-mile solo run around the perimeter of the continental U.S.—starting and finishing in Mercersburg—alum and former faculty member Charlie Bell ran through hurricanes and blizzards, slept in jail cells and on mountain tops, and faced peril from careless drivers, drunken cowboys, and his own foolish miscalculations. More importantly, Charlie discovered a country full of friendly strangers and thousands of generous folks who reached out to help him along the way. Join hosts Jim and Sue Malone to hear stories about the details of his extraordinary journey, and visit Charlie’s website.
April
15
Celebration of Women in STEM
Tara Brendle Owens ’91, Lexa Treml ’16, Stephanie Turner McGraw ’06, and faculty member Julia Stojak Maurer ’90, P ’18, ’20, ’22, ’23
Hear from women who are at different points in their lives about networking and career paths in the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) industries.
April
29
Business, Finance, and Investment Networking Lunch | 12 p.m. ET
Nikki Adler-Frigoletto ’95 and Pablo Coballasi ’91
Nicole Adler-Frigoletto has more than 20 years of experience in the wealth management industry working with families with more than $1 million in investable assets in all areas of financial planning, including tax, estate, trust, retirement, business succession, education, insurance, and cash flow. Her focus is on multi-generational wealth and the rising generation, particularly women, the LGBTQIA+ community, modern families, and families with special needs.
Pablo Coballasi is the managing director and founding partner of PC Capital. Over the last 20 years, he has worked as a private equity investor, investment banker, and consultant in the United States and Latin America and has helped build PC Capital into Mexico’s leading middle-market private equity and investment banking firm. In addition, Pablo serves on multiple corporate boards and is a member of Mexico’s Private Equity Association Investor Relations Committee.
May
6
Resilience Savings: Investing in Safe Housing Equity | 7:30 p.m. ET
Peg Hacskaylo ’85 with Marca Armstrong Ewy ’85
Throughout her career, Peg has advocated tirelessly on behalf of women and survivors of domestic and sexual violence to help them avoid homelessness and recover from their abuse. In the course of her work, Peg has developed new and novel programs, alliances, and approaches that demonstrate the healing power of housing, the potential for survivors to build community, and the exponential value gained from the simple act of investing in resilience. Hear from Peg about the founding of the District Alliance for Safe Housing (DASH) and the National Alliance for Safe Housing (NASH), as well as how she’s taken her work abroad to help communities realize the savings in helping rebuild survivors’ lives.
May
20
Meeting New Challenges: National Security in the 21st Century | 7:30 p.m. ET
Mark Montgomery ’81 with faculty member Dan Walker P ’19, ’23
Mark Montgomery serves as the executive director of the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission, which is charged with developing strategic approaches and legislative solutions to protect our national critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
Thursday,
June
10
Alumni, Faculty, and Staff Celebration | 7:30 p.m. ET
Tune in for a special presentation hosted by the Alumni Council that will recognize our alumni award winners, as well as faculty and staff retirees and those with 25 or more years of service to Mercersburg.
Learn more about the Class of ’32 Award winner and the Alumni Council award winners.
Friday,
June
11
Artist Reception with Don Freas ’70 | 7:30 p.m. ET
The practice of creativity in any sphere becomes key to knowing yourself in life. It’s not about the products that accrue, but about the ability to apply a fluid creative attitude to whatever arises. In this gallery tour, artist Don Freas ’70 will relate some of the places creative expression has taken him. Join Don for a Zoom meet and greet to discuss his show, “Don Freas in Wood and Steel,” which will run virtually from May through July.
Saturday,
June
12
State of the School Address
Head of School Katie Titus P ’20, ’23, Alumni Council President Sassan Shaool ’91, and Alumni Council Vice President Ann Marie Bliley-Ester ’01 will share a presentation. Time TBA.
Class Happy Hours | 7:30 p.m. ET
Join your classmates for a Zoom call from across the country and around the world!
Sunday,
June
13
Service of Worship and Remembrance
Join School Minister Will Whitmore and members of the Alumni Council for the traditional closing ceremony of Reunion Weekend as we remember classmates who have passed away.
A. There continue to be limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings in Pennsylvania due to COVID-19 and uncertainty surrounding the timeline of the vaccine distribution. In addition, the school year has been modified to accommodate our students, which has created pressure on our ability to have campus ready to welcome alumni for a four-day event in June.
A. Beginning in February, reunion alumni will be celebrated through the virtual Distinguished Speaker Series, as well as through virtual programming in June.
A. No, classes ending in 0, 1, 5, and 6 will be celebrated in the virtual Reunion Weekend program in June 2021. However, all alumni are always welcome to attend any Reunion Weekend.
A. Your gift is greatly appreciated, and all gifts made to Mercersburg between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, from you and members of your class will still count toward your class reunion giving totals. Class giving and donor recognition will happen during the State of the School address for reunion alumni on Saturday, June 12.
A. Yes! Class happy hours will be scheduled for Saturday, June 12, but if you’re interested in getting your class or a Mercersburg affinity group together virtually before this date, please email reunions@mercersburg.edu.
A. Please visit the school’s coronavirus information web page to learn more.
Have additional questions? Please contact Jenn Flanagan Bradley ’99 or Holly Trostle P ’22 in the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, or email reunions@mercersburg.edu.
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