Deerfield Academy established the Office of Parent Programs to facilitate the involvement of parents and to engage them in the school community.
Every year, Deerfield’s parent volunteers make significant contributions to the school by fundraising, participating in regional Deerfield Club events, speaking before students, supporting the efforts of the Admissions Office, and through countless other ways. We welcome every parent’s involvement and contributions, as each parent has something valuable to offer the Deerfield community.
A search is currently underway for a Director of Parent Programs. His or her contact information will be posted whne the search is complete. Mary Ellen Shaughan administers many of the Parent Program activities, and she can be reached at (413) 774-1592 or by email at mshaughan@deerfield.edu. We look forward to working with all of you in the year ahead!
The Senior Parents' Committee:
Robin and Roy Grossman, P'03, P'06 | Class of 2006 Chairs
Each school year, parents of the senior class make a special gift to Deerfield to honor their graduating children and to express appreciation for their child's experience. Senior Parents' Committee volunteers raise the necessary funds, appealing for gifts from all the other senior parents.
CAMPAIGN TO HONOR THE CLASS OF 2006
In honor of Headmaster Eric Widmer ’57 and Meera Viswanathan H’55,’95 and their lifelong commitment to a global perspective in education, the Campaign to Honor the Class of 2006 will create an endowed scholarship fund for Deerfield students in need to pursue opportunities for international study and cultural understanding. Reinforcing the core educational principles of tolerance, diversity, and cultural exchange, Eric has encouraged our students to experience firsthand the connected world in which we all live. The fund created by the Class of 2006 families and friends will ensure that international experiences will always be accessible for our students.
The fund will be named The Class of 2006 International Fund in Honor of Eric Widmer and Meera Viswanathan and it will forever recognize and commemorate the contributions of Eric and Meera in expanding the global awareness of Deerfield Academy. In recognition of the value of international travel and learning as a component of the Deerfield experience, the fund will support students seeking to pursue study or community service abroad each year, based on need.
The Campaign seeks gifts from parents, grandparents, family, and friends of this year’s senior class as an expression of thanks for the positive influence of Deerfield in the lives of these graduates. Traditionally, parents make a gift in honor of their child of at least three to four times the value of their largest gift to Deerfield Annual Support, though many are even more generous. Pledges are payable over three years and gifts of appreciated securities are also welcome. Every gift is important and the fund is named for the entire Class of 2006 because we hope all families will be represented. Together, we will ensure Eric’s vision of international exchange and understanding endures.
Last year, The Albany Road Class of 2005 Fund was created to endow a new faculty chair which will support an experienced Deerfield faculty member who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the "Triple Threat" belief in teaching, coaching, and residential life. The holder of the Albany Road Class of 2005 Chair will have served for at least five years on the faculty, shown a dedication to teaching, and participated generously in the sports, activities, and residential life of Deerfield students.
- 2005 Senior Parents' Committee gathering at The Manse, May 2005.
Final Results: The Class of 2005 Campaign co-chairs Tara and David Olson'70,P'02, '05 announced over Commencement Weekend that '05 parents had so far contributed and pledged $1,085,000, well exceeding our goal of $1.0 million. To date, 85% of the senior class parents have contributed to the Class of 2005 campaign. On behalf of the school, we are most grateful for these impressive results and for the new Albany Road Faculty Chair made possible by the Class of 2005 parents!
Past Senior Parents' Projects:
2004: Endowment fund for the application of technology within the curriculum as well extracurricular research and tutorials in all academic disciplines.
2003: Science Commons in the Koch Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology.
2002: Creation of the Fund for Student Life.
2001: The renovation and restoration of Hitchcock House, as the school bookstore.
2000: The renovation and restoration of Ephraim Williams House, for alumni and student activities.
The Deerfield Parents' Committee:
The primary role of the Deerfield Parents' Committee is to run the Deerfield Parents' Annual Support program. Their job is a vital one. A talented faculty, excellent library resources, up-to-date information technology, superior arts and athletics programs, and a generous financial aid program -- in short, all of the elements that make Deerfield exceptional -- are funded by yearly contributions from alumni, parents, and friends through the Annual Support Program.
As of June 30, 2005, Deerfield parents, led by co-chairs Bill and Margie Ughetta P'07, had generously contributed more than $748,000 to Annual Support, with 84% of parents participating - a wonderful accomplishment for Deerfield. Thank you one and all for your tremendous support of your child's school.
The 2005 - 2006 Deerfield Parents' Committee:
Mr. and Mrs. William C. Ughetta Jr. | Chairs
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Amato
Mr. and Mrs. A. Chace Anderson
Mr. and Mrs. James Ardrey
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ashforth
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin H. Burns
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cashin
Mr. and Mrs. Francois de Saint Phalle
Mr. and Mrs. Robert DeWitt
Ms Antoinette M. Emers
Dr. and Mrs. David D. Evans
Mr. and Mrs. Tod M. Fobare
Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Glennon, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Goodman
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence J. Gould
Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Hill
Mr. Stephen Hill & Ms Sharon Whyt
Mr. and Mrs. G. Kent Kahle
Mr. and Mrs. Philip S. Kemp, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. LaSala Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. L. Peter Lawrence
Mr. and Mrs. Per Arne Lorentzen
Mr. and Mrs. David McDonald
Mr. and Mrs. Roger S. McEniry
Mr. and Mrs. Charles McLendon Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Nitze
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey M. Peek
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen R. Quazzo
Mr. and Mrs. Bradley G. Razook
Mr. and Mrs. J. Tobias Reiley
Mrs. Peter Richardson
Mr. and Mrs. John M. Roth
Mr. and Mrs. Todd F. Schurz
Mr. Dong Hyeon Seok & Ms Youngah Park
Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Sheresky
Mr. and Mrs. David B. Straut
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Sullivan
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Walker
Dr. John Wei & Ms Sharon Chiang
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Weiss
Mr. and Arthur T. Williams lll
For More Information on Getting Involved...
To find out more about the Deerfield Parents' Committee as well as opportunities to volunteer as a parent or past parent, please see the "How to Volunteer" page or contact the Tom Henry '72, Director of Parent Programs at parents@deerfield.edu or (413) 774-1587.
Regional Deerfield Clubs:
In the past few years, alumni/ae, parents and friends of Deerfield Academy have come together to form regional clubs. The purpose of the clubs is to enhance and perpetuate the Deerfield community of alumni, current students and their families; to offer educational and recreational opportunities; and to keep the spirit of Deerfield Academy alive for those who value it deeply.
Deerfield Clubs currently operate in New England, New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC, and Philadelphia. For further information on getting involved or a calendar of activities, please contact Amanda Harris, Assistant Director for Alumni Relations, at (413) 774-1801 or by email at aharris@deerfield.edu.
