Darlington School honored outstanding faculty and staff members at the annual Brown Faculty Appreciation Dinner, hosted by the Board of Trustees on Thursday, May 7.
The following faculty and staff members were recognized for their five-year anniversaries: Christie Atkins, Paul Bell, DeLean Brandon, Eric Braun, Katie Ellis, Julie Fine, Yensen Lambert, Darcy Liddle, Gregg Marshall, Steve McConnell, Dana Peek, Jennifer Sikes, Matt Peer, 5 years; Will Camp, Bebe Cline, Jody Deaton, Leslie Finley, Mano Hernandez and Anne Paige Wilson, 10 years; John Cox, Jan Harrison, Jim Linos, Wendy Payne, Joe Pieroni, Randy Smith and Donna Watford, 15 years; Kevin Ivester (’87), 20 years; and Kathy O’Mara, 30 years.
Retiring faculty members Perree Collier, Pam Morgan, Jill Pate and Renate Starr were celebrated for their service to Darlington.
Hanks Faculty Recognition Plaques were presented in honor of 12 legendary former faculty members: Rick Buice and Donald Sweeney, science; James Hutchins, Bob Rogers and Jim Van Es, Junior/Middle School; and Charla Brewster, Perree Collier, Janice Cox, Ann Glass, Diane Lumpkin, Gayle Monk and Elaine (Hackett) Smith (’71T), Lower School. Made possible each year by Dr. Daniel J. Hanks Jr. (’61); his wife, Adeline (’62T); and their son, J. Daniel Hanks III (’99), this award was established to remind current students of the legacy they enjoy on a day-to-day basis.
Beachum Master Teaching Awards were presented to Chris Holloway, ELA-8 director of the bands, and Al Shorey, Upper School math teacher. They were nominated by faculty and selected by the head of school, the academic dean, and the division directors. The Beachum Award honors a member of the faculty who has accomplished something exceptional in his or her teaching, devoting time beyond the call of duty to students and to the teaching profession. This accomplishment may be in the form of extraordinary efforts to build student character or in the form of innovative programs. Established in 2004 by Mary (McCamy) Beachum (’63T), Robert A. Beachum (’94) and Julia Beachum, the Edward N. Beachum (’63) Master Teacher Award honors the Darlington alumnus and faculty member (1972-1989).
The George W. Awsumb Faculty Award was presented to Kelly McDurmon, Upper School history teacher. Established anonymously in 1999 by a Darlington alumnus, the Awsumb Award is presented to a faculty member who exemplifies a personal commitment to the education and well-being of the superior and average student alike. This commitment is demonstrated by the unselfish desire of the faculty member to instruct and challenge students in both a professional and enthusiastic manner and by the ability of the faculty member to raise the overall level of education and quality of life at Darlington. The commitment is further demonstrated by the unselfish giving of time and energy to many diverse extracurricular activities and by the ability of the faculty member to empower his or her students with self-confidence and instill in them the desire to learn while not only at Darlington, but also for a lifetime. The award is given in the spirit of George W. Awsumb, Darlington faculty member from 1962-2009, and the recipient is selected by the head of school.
Thatcher Faculty Development & Research Fund grants were presented to Upper School history teachers Hannah Decatur, Brian Inman, Matt Peal and Kelly McDurmon; Ashley Evans, ELA-8 Spanish teacher; Tim Garrett, Upper School science teacher; and Mano Hernandez, network administrator. Established in 2014 by the Thatcher Foundation, these annual awards honor the memory of Samuel E. and Mary W. Thatcher, the parents of John Thatcher (’44). This fund provides five grants of $2,000 each to faculty and staff who wish to pursue professional development directly related to their teaching duties.
Thatcher Master Teacher Fund grants were presented to Brant Evans, Upper School history teacher and dean of student life; David Yarborough and Patrick Collier (’08), ELA-8 history teachers; Lisa Goldin, Laura Hicks and the Teaching and Learning Center staff; Beth (Bagby) Smith (’87) and the ELA-2 teachers and assistants; and Upper School English teacher Katie Ellis. Established in 2014 by the Thatcher Foundation, these annual awards honor the memory of Samuel E. and Mary W. Thatcher, the parents of John Thatcher (’44). This fund provides five grants of $2,000 each to faculty for personal use in travel or other experiences. Not strictly curricular in nature, these experiences nurture the dedicated teacher as a lifelong learner whose personal travel and other activities return them to the classroom refreshed and renewed.
Wood Faculty Professional Development Endowment Awards were presented to science teachers Mike Hudson, Phil Titus and Randy Smith; and to a cross-curricular group of faculty members that includes English teachers Beth Wilson, Charlie Beaucham, and Jennifer Sikes; communications teacher Adrienne Forgette; Assistant Librarian Michael Hall; and ESL Director Tara Inman. Established in 2011 by Carla and Leonard Wood during the Second Century Campaign, the Wood Award seeks to create a culture for professional growth and perpetual improvement in our faculty by funding scholarly activity of an exceptional character. Applicants submit an ambitious and rigorous proposal which must identify the critical steps of planning and execution, and clearly state how this project will benefit both students and faculty.
James Douglas Brown Jr. Faculty Awards were presented to Tommy Atha, ELA-8 P.E. teacher and head football coach; Ivy Brewer, associate dean of college guidance; Chris Eberhart ELA-8 math and science teacher and ELA-8 athletic coordinator; Wendy Payne, executive assistant to the director of ELA-8; and Mano Hernandez, network administrator. Nominated by colleagues and selected by the head of school, the academic dean, and the division directors, a Brown Award recipient is one who has served the school well, in a competent and skillful manner, and one who has an interest in and a dedication to his or her work with the school and with the students. Brown Awards are endowed by Mr. and Mrs. James Douglas Brown of Ozark, Ala., in memory of their son, James Douglas Brown Jr.
Departing faculty and staff were also recognized, including Audra Babb, Kent Harrison (’01, LD ’15), Rachel Harrison, Jennifer (Brewster) Helbing (’98), Mike Nealis, Liz Overberg, John Plough, Tinsley Ray, Cynde Reneau, Bob Stinchcomb and Madison Willoughby.
