Alumni News
Mr. Fothergill is retiring!
It’s hard to imagine KCD without Charlie Fothergill. Mr. Fothergill began his teaching career at Louisville Country Day in 1969 and has been a vital part of our community through the present day.
Mr. Fothergill’s name is a recurring theme when former students think back on former teachers who influenced them. As a teacher who encouraged his students to love literature and pursue its study with critical intelligence and a sense of humor, Mr. Fothergill has been a profound influence on generations of graduates. His presence on our campus will be sorely missed.
Mr. Fothergill, we thank you for your forty-one years of service and wish you the best as you begin your well-earned retirement. We hope you will continue to visit us here on campus!
Yale Singers share music with KCD choir
Last week, the Society of Orpheus and Bacchus, an a cappella group from Yale, performed for our middle school students as part of their spring tour. Tom James, class of 2008 and director of the singing group, led a workshop for the 7/8 Chorus where both groups performed for each other with the Yale singers offering suggestions for the KCD choir. Our students responded well, improving their sound and musical interpretation instantaneously! It was such a treat for our young people to be exposed to a diverse group of men who enjoy making music together.
Alumnus endows library fund
Thanks to the generosity of Aquinas Preparatory alumnus Lowry Watkins Jr. ’64, the Robertson Library is now the beneficiary of the Lowry and Marshall Watkins Library Fund. The fund will allow the library to purchase new books for students in all three divisions. Books purchased through the fund will be identified by a special bookplate.
Mr. Watkins attended a reception in the library this week and shared cookies and lemonade with Ms. Purdie’s kindergarten class. Thanks to Mr. Watkins for his contribution to our library!
Courier Journal serializing story by Tania James 1999
Last Sunday's Courier-Journal Arts section ran the first installment of Tania's short story "Girl Marries Ghost."
Tania's novel Atlas of Unknowns is just out in paperback from Vintage.
John Crockett ‘82 is 2010 O'Brien speaker
The speaker at this year's Matthew P. O'Brien Annual Senior Lecture was John Crockett ‘82,
parent of KCD students Sam Crockett ‘11, Henry Crockett ‘13, and Thomas Crockett ‘16. In his remarks, Mr. Crockett challenged seniors to work hard, appreciate what they have been given, and make the most of their lives as they embark on the new opportunities of college and living independently.
The O'Brien Lecture is held in honor of Matt O’Brien, a 1983 KCD graduate who passed away shortly after graduation. His family, friends, and classmates have established this lectureship in memory of his achievements, ideals of friendship, scholarship, and citizenship. Thanks to their efforts, the O’Brien Lecture continues to provide inspiration and insight to seniors as they embark on a life beyond KCD.
Third grade students learn from a doctor
Dr. Stuart White class of '86 gave a presentation on the Respiratory System to third graders. The third grade is studying the various systems of the human body. Sitting in front are his twin daughters Nicole and Ashley. We appreciated his expertise in this area.
KCD alumnus shares his knowledge with math class
Pai Charasika ‘94, Vice President of Investments for Stifel Nicolaus, came to speak to Amy Charasika’s Essentials of Precalculus Mathematics class on Thursday, April 1, to talk about stocks, bonds, and being a financial advisor. The kids really enjoyed the talk and learned a lot about investments. A huge thanks to Mr. Charasika for donating his time and knowledge.
Tommy Gift ’97 is Junior Breakfast speaker
1997 KCD graduate Tommy Gift was this year’s alumni speaker at the annual Junior Breakfast.
Mr. Gift challenged the class of 2011 not to sit on the sidelines, but to take the lead in making a difference in their community. Other alumni guests at the breakfast included Alex Gift ’00, Jackson Andrews ’00, and Cordt Huneke ’01, who were recently recognized, along with Mr. Gift and Charlie Farnsley '00, as Louisville’s Young Philanthropists of the Year.
The Junior Breakfast also provides an opportunity to recognize our alumni legacies: alumni who are parents of members of the junior class. This year’s alumni legacies include Neale Bennett '79 and Chase Bennett ’11; Mark Blieden '78 and Joanna Blieden ’11; John Crockett '82 and Sam Crockett ’11; Margaret Johnson Dry '83 and Meagan Dry ’11; Lisa Brendel Ewen '82 and Katie Ewen ’11; Rudy Gernert '76 and Lyle Gernert ‘11, Carson Gernert ’11, and Layne Gernert ’11; James Giesel '78 and Margaret Giesel ’11 and David Giesel ’11; Albert Leggett '77 and Russell Leggett ’11; Carrie Birkhead Scharf '82 and Gillian Scharf ’11; Anne Tway Smith '79 and Will Smith ’11 and David Smith ’11; Tony Weber '77 and Samantha Weber ’11; and Patty Dabney West '74 and Caroline West ’11.
Bill Beam Jr. 1976 receives athletics honor
On Friday, February 19 KCD officially named the athletics hallway the William T. Beam Jr. Hall of Fame Hallway.
Affectionately known as “Bill,” Mr. Beam has made major contributions to KCD athletics throughout the years. A 1976 KCD graduate, Mr. Beam heads the Bearcat Hall of Fame and the Royal Bearcat Society, which honor outstanding athletes from KCD and its predecessor schools. He is also the creator of The Bearcat Shield, a comprehensive archive of KCD Bearcat athletics established in 2005. The Shield provides detailed records and information on every sport at KCD.
Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Green says that Mr. Beam has been invaluable to KCD athletics. “Bill has been an integral part of the development of our athletic history and archives. His dedication and love for KCD is evident in the hard work, time, and finances that he has put in The Bearcat Shield and all of his efforts to recognize and honor the work of our student-athletes and coaches. He is very deserving of such an honor.”
Mr. Beam is also the namesake of the senior athlete of the year award. In addition to athletics, he has researched and recognized the National Merit Scholars from KCD and its predecessor schools, dating back to 1973. Thanks to Mr. Beam for all of his hard work!
Six new members inducted into Bearcat Athletic Hall of Fame
Five alumni and one former coach were inducted into the Bearcat Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, February 19. Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are recognized for bringing honor and distinction to their particular sport and to the athletic program at Kentucky Country Day School. The athlete or coach must have brought measurable success to a particular sport, including outstanding recognition from conference, local, regional, or state level competition. The induction ceremony took place at halftime of the boys’ basketball game vs. Collegiate.
This year, the inductees were Dale Bryant ’72 (swimming); Lydia Plamp Brownlow ’82 (swimming); David Oclander ’85 (boys’ soccer); Hollis Rodgers ’87 (field hockey); Jennifer Roos ’89 (field hockey); and Coach Valerie Dawson Vertrees (field hockey). Biographies of this year's honorees are posted here.
Mr. Jorge Oclander (former KCD soccer coach) represented his son David, who is stationed in Southern Afghanistan. Ms. Sue Evans represented her daughter Hollis Rodgers, who had a business conflict in San Diego.
