Montclair Kimberley Academy

Dear Alums:

Last year the Alumni Council committed to reconnect and inform alumni of current alumni events, the status of fellow alums and MKA events.  The Alumni Council and The Office of External Affairs coordinated a number of initiatives.  In addition to long standing alumni networking traditions, we created an electronic newsletter and new alumni networking events.  As a result, alums have reconnected with one another; conducted business with one another; and reconnected with their alma mater.  . . . And we have more great news!  MKA has a new website!  That's right!  MKA has a new website . . . and wait 'til you get a load of it! 

We ask your indulgence as some of the sections of the new website are under development, but should be completed shortly.  Other areas of the new website are restricted to the alumni community by password.  Kindly contact Marsha Kleinman, Alumni Director at mkleinman@montclairkimberley.org to request a password. 

From The Alumni Council
Ladies And Gentlemen, The President . . .  
A letter from the President of the MKA Alumni Association  http://www.montclairkimberley.org/user/alumni/AlumniCouncil/Letter

E - Network Expands
We are working hard to expand our communications network and we need your help to make sure all alumni / alumnae receive electronic publications and invitations.  If you can contribute e-mail addresses of classmates that you routinely keep in touch with to our distribution list, please send them to Marsha Kleinman, Alumni Director mkleinman@montclairkimberley.org.  E-mail addresses will not be used for fundraising. 
 
You're Invited
Why not join the Alumni Council? It's a great way to reconnect.  Contact Dara Marmon '91 to join at wackohead@nyc.rr.com


Alums Helping Alums
Vincent DelGaizo Follow-Up
Many thanks to all the alumni who responded with e-mails and support to the article on Vincent DelGaizo and his son in our last e-newsletter!  He sent us a letter to update us on his latest success in the fight against Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and to express his gratitude for our write-up.  In his words, " it is wonderful exposure for what I am trying to do to help my son and the other 299,999 US kids with arthritis".  NJ congressmen Ferguson and Pallon and Senator Corzine, have agreed to co-sponsor a bill to get more funding for JRA research. Vincent urges everyone to go to www.arthritis.org for more information on the co-sponsors of the bill and the Arthritis Foundation.

 
Alumni Events
 2005 – 2006 Alumni Calendar 
Alumni gatherings have been a lot of fun and we look forward to seeing even more of you at upcoming events.  Details will be forthcoming or contact Marsha Kleinman, Alumni Director at mkleinman@montclairkimberley.org 
  

Homecoming
View the photo gallery on MKA's website http://www.montclairkimberley.org/user/alumni/AlumniGallery and take a look at photographs available for purchase from Hollander Photographic Services http://www.collages.net .  The User Name is MKA and the Password is 7325.

Calling All Alums
Please help us reach out to fellow alumni at MKA's Annual Giving Phonathon. Calling evenings are held from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8 through Thursday, November 10.  The Phonathon is held in the Middle School music room, located on the second floor above the Pennick Lobby entrance.  Light supper will be provided for callers and there are nightly prizes!  To volunteer two hours of your time one evening contact Director of Alumni Giving and Planned Giving, Laurie Hoonhout McFeeley '76 at (973) 509-7939 or lmcfeeley@montclairkimberley.org  

Attention Classes of 2005 and 2006
On January 4, 2006, MKA’s Alumni Council will host the school’s second annual Winter Break Young Alumni Luncheon. College-age alumni are invited to return to MKA’s Cougar Dining Hall from 11:30 a.m. to l 1:00 p.m. to grab a bite with old friends and chat with former faculty and current students about their college experiences.  Please RSVP to Director of Alumni Giving and Planned Giving, Laurie Hoonhout McFeeley '76 lmcfeeley@montclairkimberley.org 

Break Out The Bengay
The Alumni Hockey Game will be held on Wednesday, November 23 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. at the Montclair Clary Anderson Arena.  http://www.montclairkimberley.org/misc/calendar?&main.id=17211&main.ctrl=eventmgr.detail&main.view=calendar.detail 

All In A Day’s Work
Do you have an interesting job that you would like to share with MKA students? Volunteer to speak at Career Day 2006 on March 8 at the Upper School. The event is always very well attended and enjoyed by the students as they start to make decisions about colleges and their future careers.  It has become so popular that last year, we had 20 sessions ( a 25% increase over the previous year ) and for first time, there were two sessions for each speaker! To sign up, contact Dan Carson at dcarson@carsonroberts.com or Keisha Trotman at tkeshia26@yahoo.com.

Upcoming Alumni Receptions
Meet Thomas Nammack, MKA’s new Headmaster, as he graciously hosts a party for alumni at his home on Lloyd Road. The evening will feature tours of the new Upper School Arts Wing, an awesome and much-needed addition to the Upper School facilities. Date to be announced shortly.

Don’t miss a smashing cocktail party at the Jersey Shore in beautiful Avon, NJ on Saturday, August 19, at the home of alumnus, Bill Dioguardi '76 and his lovely wife, Ester. Bill and Esther look forward to opening their home to all alumni who reside in South Jersey, as well as any alumni and current MKA parents from other parts of the state who vacation at Jersey shore beach communities. Don’t miss this spectacular venue, replete with sea breezes and wrap-around porches that set the stage for an evening to remember. Take a ride to the shore and join our hosts with the most!

Questions or RSVP to Director of Alumni Giving and Planned Giving, Laurie Hoonhout McFeeley '76 at lmcfeeley@montclairkimberley.org  or 973-509-7939.


Alumni Awards
Achievement and Recognition
It's time again to recognize those with extraordinary achievements among the faculty, alumni and student athletes. Nominations for the Founders Cup, Distinguished Alumni Award and Athletic Hall of Fame are now being accepted.  You will find nomination forms at each of these sites listed below.  To read about previous Founders Cup recipients, go to http://www.montclairkimberley.org/pages/alumni/alumni_foundcup.html.  To read about previous DAA recipients, go to http://www.montclairkimberley.org/pages/alumni/alumni_distinguished.html.  To read about previous Athletic Hall of Fame recipients, go to http://www.montclairkimberley.org/pages/alumni/alumni_ahof.html.


MKA News / Events
Headmaster Investiture
Read Headmaster Thomas W. Nammack's speech, delivered at his Investiture, September 30, 2005.  http://www.montclairkimberley.org/home/schoollife/news?&global.now=10-20-2005&main.id=1746&main.ctrl=newsmgr.detail&main.view=schoolnews.detail

MKA Events Rated AA ( Alumni Appropriate )
Alumni are invited to the following MKA events . . .


Where Are They Now
 An Invitation
Are you an alum who owns your own business?  MKA Alumni want to know about it…and you!  We would like to profile you and your business in a future issue of The Cougar Chronicles “Where Are They Now” segment.  These profiles help members of our alumni make contacts, learn best practices and network with others who share their interests and experiences.  If you are one of our many successful entrepreneurs and would like to be featured, contact chris-bellapianta@cushwake.com or david-dematteis@cushwake.com 

Dr. Eve A. Wood '76 moved to Tuscon, AZ  2 years ago after living in Philadelphia , PA for years after medical school.  An avid hiker, Dr. Wood lives with her husband and 4 children Glory Beth ( 7 ), Shira ( 10 ), Gabriel ( 14 ) and Benjamin ( 17 ).  She is an Integrative Psychiatrist and works as a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.  Dr. Wood recently wrote a book titled Medicine, Mind, and Meaning, which is a stepwise guide to healing emotional and mental illness, told through clinical stories.  The book bridges western medicine and spiritual principles.  Dr. Wood was recently awarded the Ben Franklin Award for the Best New Voice for a Non-Fiction book and has 2 new books in the works from Hay House Publishers.  You can reach Dr. Wood at eawoodmd@comcast.net  or visit her website www.drevewood.com

Thomas Galligan Jr. '73 is the Dean of the University of Tennessee College of Law. He and his wife Susan Stokes TKS '74, a full time homemaker, live in Knoxville Tennessee with 2 of their 4 children, Jennifer ( 13 ) and Aisling ( 15 ).  Their other 2 children are away at college, Sarah ( 18 ), is at Dartmouth College and Patrick ( 20 ),  is at Bates College.  Thomas can be reached at galligan@libra.law.utk.edu

Laura A. Gilman '90 received her BA in Economics from Brandeis University, an MBA in Finance and Accounting from New York University Stern School of Business and has earned her Professional Designation in Personal Financial Planning ( PFP ) from the University of California, Los Angeles.  She is also a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the State of New York.  After years of working for various financial institutions from New York to California, Laura started her own business as a Comprehensive Financial Planner where she assists her clients in planning for their long-term financial goals.  She currently resides in Los Angeles, California and can be reached at laura@jwpfinancial.com.

Pamela Zeug '78 is the owner of The Downing Group, an executive search firm with emphasis on the investment banking and private equity communities as well as corporate market ( internal M&A ) and hedge funds in the U.S. and Latin America.  Client assignments are primarily in the New York City area.  However, searches have been completed in San Francisco, Washington, D.C.,  Chicago,  Miami,  Brazil,  Argentina and Mexico.  Pam resides in NYC and can be reached at www.downinggroup.com.  

Barry Janay '96 began building his own law practice in December, 2004.  Mr. Janay focuses his practice on employment law and intellectual property law matters, but has also taken on some other cases of interest and pro bono advising projects.  He writes " I'm very grateful to MKA for all of the friends I made and the well rounded education I received during my time there;  I credit a great deal of my current success as coming directly from my experience as a student at MKA."   He hopes that all of his old student colleagues are doing well and welcomes hearing from them bjanay@yahoo.com


We'll e-mail you the next issues of The Cougar Chronicles around the latter part of February.  If you do NOT wish to receive these e-mails or if your e-mail address changes, please contact Joanne Wilson at jwilson@montclairkimberley.org  

Kindly direct submissions for Alums Helping Alums to Dana M.T. Cestone '79, Chair E- News Committee at dmtcmka@aol.com

To be included in Where Are They Now, please contact David DeMatteis '95 at david_dematteis@cushwake.com
or Chris Bellapianta '97 at chris_bellapianta@cushwake.com

Many of you shared your thoughts on TCC;  thank you for taking the time to do so and please keep them coming!   Contact Dana M.T. Cestone ' 79 Chair, ENews Committee at dmtcmka@aol.com

We'd also love to hear news for inclusion in the Class Notes of the MKA Review.  Contact Marsha Kleinman, Alumni Director at mkleinman@montclairkimberley.org

Stay connected to your alma mater.

Best Regards,
The MKA Alumni Council