Each year, the Alumni Association presents the Alumni Man and Woman of the Year Awards. For the first time, the awards were presented as part of the Reunion weekend festivities.

 

The Alumni Man and Woman of the Year honors are bestowed upon persons whose personal and professional achievements reflect credit on their alma mater, who have distinguished themselves in their personal lives and careers, and who have demonstrated leadership and service to the Academy or the legacy of Glen Oak School. 

 

Congratulations to this year’s recipients, Frank Stanton ’61 and Sally Hurley Koepke G.O. ’77.

 

At the ceremony, after introductory remarks from Head of School Kathy Kenny, Alumni Association President Lauren Oliver ’12 introduced Koepke’s presenter, Glen Oak classmate Jill Gassaway Evans G.O. ’77. Evans spoke on behalf of another Oakie Julia Yapell G.O. ’77, who was unable to attend. Evans shared remarks about Sally’s selfless spirit and her passion for supporting and building the endowment fund for the Glen Oak Scholarship Fund. 

 

Oliver and Kathy Kenny then presented Koepke with the Woman of the Year plaque. In her remarks, Koepke reflected on Glen Oak’s impact on her, sharing, “The four years I spent at Glen Oak transformed me, truly. I matured as a person, learned a lot and, most importantly, learned to believe in myself.” She recalled fond memories of a number of her teachers and their impactful lessons. Her gratitude for her experience is what compelled her to get involved with the Glen Oak Scholarship committee, raising funds to endow the Glen Oak Scholarship so that young women at Gilmour who embody the Glen Oak mission can continue to receive the scholarship. 

 

Koepke shared that in reviewing the essays and interviewing Gilmour students who had applied for the scholarship over the past few years, she has been impressed by their confidence, poise, empathy, kindness and intelligence. She remarked, “Speaking with these students has made me realize that the Glen Oak mantra of ‘Person. Service. Love.’ is alive and well and bubbling through at Gilmour Academy.”

 

Lauren Oliver then introduced Frank Stanton’s presenter, classmate Tim Holzheimer ’61, who shared his memories of Stanton throughout their decades of friendship. He cited all that Stanton has done for Gilmour through his achievements, leadership, loyalty and support, including his years securing support for the Annual Fund.

 

Oliver and Kathy Kenny then presented Stanton with the Man of the Year plaque. Stanton expressed his gratitude for the award and shared how much it meant to him. He explained his long history with Gilmour, dating back to his pre-teen years when he would attend games with his neighbors, the Georges, when they were watching their son, Dick George ’56. Perhaps that is when Stanton’s fierce love of Gilmour athletics began. Regardless, it is still a part of who he is today, as Frank can be found in the stands at most athletic contests. He shared that on Saturday mornings, he often says to his wife, Stacie, “I’m going home.” And she knows what that means...he is off to Gilmour, his second home for the past 65 years. Stanton expressed during his speech, “My heart has been here, and is here, for a long time.” In closing, Stanton shared, “It really is all about Gilmour for me. It is and always has been.”