Jonathan Beane ’88 P’24
Episcopal is a special place that has always remained true to its ideals and mission. When I first arrived in 1984, I was a young kid in search of purpose — I found that and so much more at Episcopal. Thirty-six years later when my children first arrived, the School was still a place where students are physically, mentally, and spiritually challenged and intentionally developed to be societal leaders. EHS has a special sauce that has been a proven success for over 185 years!
To serve on the Board alongside friends and old classmates like Steven Lilly ’88 and Ned Durden ’88, former English teacher and administrator David Dougherty ’64, and EHS administrators like Louis Smith, Rick Wilcox, and Scott Conklin (who was also my son’s advisor) has been an honor. It’s also been wonderful to work with former Board Chair Lee Ainslie ’82, current Board Chair Sarah Knutson ’96, and Head of School Charley Stillwell. I have so much respect for each and every one of them for their tireless efforts to make Episcopal the best school in the country.
After serving for six years, I believe that the Board’s strength lies in our differences. Life is gray, and it’s incredibly important to recognize that we all have different points of view. As a Board, we all deeply love the School, though we may disagree at times. It’s not one way or another. And this Board has always seen and acknowledged the fact that as long as we continue to respect each other and what we bring to the table, the right decisions will become apparent. Thank you.
Alex Y. Liu ’76
After 35+ years away, I remain inspired by The High School’s continued commitment to honor, excellence and courage. That commitment remains our community’s superpower over so many years, with so many wonderful traditions and lots of new ones, too. It was also comforting to serve on the Board over these past six consequential years alongside many fellow classmates from the crazy 70s: Bill Hughes ’79, Tom Long ’77, Ransom Lummis ’80, Robert Mason ’77, Jenner Wood ’70, teacher David Dougherty ’64; and to continue the chain of Board service over the year by others from the legendary class of ‘76: Ab Boxley, Tench Coxe, Boota deButts, and Howard Smith III. I hope that future Episcopal Boards keep the 70s bloodline alive.
What I admire most about the EHS Board is its versatile and multi-generational representation. While Charley and his excellent faculty and staff run sprints every year, and while Christina and the Advancement Office continue to run the fundraising marathon, the Board is a live lesson in permanently rotational stewardship, much like a relay race team makes key handoffs. Episcopal’s never-ending race to the future is real, and the Board powers that journey with new energy each year but always with an urgency to get better and raise the bar together, in service to our broader purpose.
Finally, while each trustee brings unique talents and views, we learned to listen with true empathy and curiosity on so many topics, and some very tough ones, too. While we did not always agree, we always sought to first reflect, understand, and then align to make the best judgments and decisions. I hope that our service changed each of us for the better too, as I know it did for me. Thank you all for the collective mission and joyful experience.
