Seminar Day Connects Students with Experts and Activists
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parking new ideas and lively conversation, 25 experts and activists on a wide range of publicly debated United States and international issues visited campus on May 2 for the student-organized Seminar Day. Many Milton Academy graduates were among the guest speakers, stimulating great questions and discussions. Called the Keyes Seminar Day, this lively event has been one of Milton’s most important traditions since 1977. It is named in honor of its founder, former faculty member Peter Keyes, a legendary promoter of student interest in the political process as well as public and governmental affairs and service. In the Milton spirit of developing students’ confidence and competence to live by our motto, “Dare to be true,” Seminar Day brings to campus individuals who have made compelling choices. They are scholars, business people, scientists, educators, writers, political leaders and artists making a difference in the world. Speakers this year included health-care-policy experts; social entrepreneurs working on issues such as educational reform, sustainable fishing, global food security, and firearms policy; environmental activists; political humorists; journalists; political
activists and shapers of public policy; and a graduate committed to educating young women about finance and investment. Delivering this year’s keynote address was Dr. Noam Chomsky, Institute Professor in the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He began teaching at M.I.T. in 1955 and has lectured at many universities throughout the country and abroad. He has written and taught widely on linguistics, philosophy, intellectual history, contemporary issues, international affairs and U.S. foreign policy. He spoke to students and faculty at Milton about pressing issues in the Middle East and related United States policy, addressing Iran, the Arab Spring and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Surrounding the keynote speaker, students chose from among many presenters during three time blocks in the day. Exchanges that occur on Seminar Day stimulate ideas and conversations over weeks to come. Held every other year, Seminar Day alternates with Community Service Day—another occasion that encourages students to think beyond their immediate community and concern themselves with the complexity and opportunity afforded by the world.
Joining the Board of Trustees Dune Thorne ’94 Dune Thorne ’94 is a partner at Brown Advisory in Boston. Dune founded the nonprofit venture Invest In Girls (IIG). With Chelsea Mehra ’11, Dune established the Milton pilot of this nonprofit that helps girls achieve financial literacy. Dune participates on several boards, including the Harvard Business School Women’s Association, and Boston Women and Finance. Dune graduated from Dartmouth College and earned her M.B.A. at Harvard.
Retiring Trustees Julie Bennett ’79 During her two terms, Julie Bennett ’79 helped Milton gain ground in a number of important ways, including working with Warren McFarlan ’55 on defining the Faculty Council Liaison Committee, a crucial conduit and authentic communication link between the board and faculty. Julie also helped deepen girls’ experiences in athletics, and she was an early supporter of Milton’s drive to take a leadership role in science. We turned to Julie as our spokesperson for science on several occasions. The active Pritzker Science Center will always be a hallmark of Julie’s service on the board.
Antonia Grumbach ’61 Antonia Grumbach ’61 served Milton as a trustee and officer of the board for 21 years. During that time, Antonia was our resident expert on nonprofit and education direction and management. She supported Milton through several transitions, and
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took on every role a Milton trustee possibly could, serving on 10 committees—both standing and project-based. Antonia responded to every Milton request for counsel: legal, managerial and intellectual. She was a crucial resource for three heads of school and five board presidents. Antonia will continue to counsel us on matters of direction and long-term planning.
Lisa Jones ’84 Lisa Jones ’84 kept Milton in her sights, even as she moved to another coast, then a new city, and new professional roles. Like the outstanding scholar she was at Milton, Lisa paid attention to the board’s external relations and academic affairs, through its transition to the committee that now includes student life and enrollment. Lisa was also diligent and insightful in earlier trustee studies of long-term financial planning. With her intellect and her heart, Lisa has supported the School during her tenure, through the years of change and growth.