IN OUR COMMUNITY : ALUMNI
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Spartan Alumni ,
We ’ ve had an incredible start to the 2016-17 academic year ! At Convocation at the beginning of September , we proudly presented the third annual Alumni Achievement Award to Lee Kallman ’ 91 for his leadership in bringing the UCI Road World Championships to Richmond .
In October , a group of alumni came together to take on current Steward student-athletes in a soccer game at SpartaFest , Steward ’ s annual fall community festival , and several alums contributed original artwork for the Community Art Show and Sale in the Carolyn R . Brandt Art Gallery . Two days later , we had more alumni come together to hit the links at Hermitage Country Club for the Ray Tate Spartan Golf Classic , which raised $ 37,000 for the Spartan Club !
In November , we had a record turnout of alumni at the first ever Trucks & Shucks Oyster Roast at Historic Tredegar in downtown Richmond . Alumni with class years ending in “ 1 ” or “ 6 ” had access to a VIP reunion reception , and everyone enjoyed a night of food truck delicacies with local wine and beer , local oysters , and live bluegrass music under the comfort of an enormous lighted tent . Jonathan Wauford ' 07 designed an original image that was printed on the event t-shirts .
I am thrilled to have been part of these amazing experiences , and I can ’ t wait to see what the future holds as we continue to support alumni engagement and unique experiences at Steward . I encourage you to reach out if you are interested in becoming involved with Steward alumni . Whether you ’ re an artist , an athlete , or just want to spend time with friends , The Alumni Association has something for you !
Jennifer Cronk ' 88 President , 2016-17 Steward Alumni Association Board
From left to right : Alumni Board members Jennifer Cronk ’ 88 ( president ), Keith Murphy ’ 09 , Dani Fraizer ’ 09 ( vice president ), and Aaron Messner ’ 11 at Trucks & Shucks in November
Read more about Mr . Kallman ’ s achievement by scanning here !
We are currently accepting nominations for the 2017 Steward Alumni Achievement Award . Go to stewardschool . org / alumni-achievement-award to make your nomination today !
Building on Her Roots
When Robin Brown Kocen ’ 85 graduated from Steward , little did she know that her relationship with the school would come full circle through her career .
Since 2012 , Mrs . Kocen has been owner and co-director of Richmond ’ s Bricks 4 Kidz , a creative learning program that teaches elementary school-aged children the principles of STEM ( science , technology , engineering , and math ) using LEGO ® components . The program began hosting afterschool enrichment classes and theme-based summer camps at Steward four years ago .
“ The goal of Bricks 4 Kidz is to be able to teach as many children as possible in the Richmond area the importance of science , math , engineering , and technology , and that they can be and do anything they dream of ,” she said . “ It ’ s amazing to watch children turn on the battery pack after they have completed a LEGO ® model and see what they created on their own — it inspires me every day .”
A graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in retail and marketing , Mrs . Kocen owned children ’ s gift store Babystuff & Kidz 2 for 18 years before selling the business and purchasing Bricks 4 Kidz . She said the nurturing attitude from Steward teachers and the lifelong friendships she made contributed to the development of her entrepreneurial spirit .
The Colonnade | 23