November 2018
FROM ROLAND AVENUE
Service. It's a word we hear a lot these days − customer service, civil service, public service, jury service, and so forth. At its core, service is all about doing something for others. And there really can be no more clear-cut example of this than military service. Having just celebrated the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, signifying the formal end to the First World War, it seems even more pertinent and timely than ever to recognize the men and women who have given selflessly of themselves to protect our country. There is no shortage of Gilman men who have heeded the call of duty and stepped bravely onto this path. Sadly, this means that the Gilman community is not without those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in during so. Read on to learn about some of these men, including Cpl. Christopher Coffland '84, who was killed in action in Afghanistan, as well as a remembrance of the fallen Gilman alumni from the First World War.
Nathaniel Badder '94
Director of Alumni Relations & Outreach
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COMMEMORATING 50 YEARS OF BLACK ALUMNI
More than three years ago, co-chairs Marcus Simms '95 and Karlo Young '97 began planning for a special weekend celebrating the 50th anniversary of Gilman's first four black graduates in the Class of 1968 and recognizing other trailblazing students, faculty, administrators, and parents. All of the hard work culminated in an unforgettable weekend, which took place last month. Read a summary of all of the weekend's festivities, see a gallery of photos, watch speeches, and dive deeper into the history of Gilman's integration.
In conjunction with the weekend, Eric Bryant '88 and Malcolm Ruff '02 have been leading an effort to establish the William A. Greene, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund, in honor of Gilman's first black faculty member. The fund has raised more than $177,650 to date, and has set a target of 50% participation by black alumni (currently 13.7%).
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Bill Blue '77
The numbers are staggering: One in five adults lives with a mental illness and more than 30 million doctor visits each year have mental illness as the primary diagnosis − yet only 43% of those living with mental illness received mental health treatment in the last year.
The family of Bill Blue directly experienced the lack of mental health treatment resources in their community. To Bill and his wife Betsy, this revealed an enormous gap in the system, and drove them to find a solution to fill it. In 2015, the pair raised $35 million for start-up costs, a financial aid endowment, and the purchase of a 12.5 acre plot of land in Charlotte, NC, and HopeWay was born. The campus now boasts 36 private rooms for residential stays and room for 50 more outpatient clients, who are cared for by a staff of 65 medical professionals. HopeWay treats a variety of mental illnesses to prevent hospitalization or act as a step down for people who've been released from the hospital. To date, HopeWay has served more than 500 families. Charlotte Magazine profiled Bill and Betsy's vision and their work to make HopeWay a reality.
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RECENT EVENTS
Blue-Gray Weekend, November 2-3
More than 20 former Greyhound footballers from six decades joined new Head Coach Nick Bach and this year's varsity football team for breakfast and conversation prior to the Gilman-McDonogh game. See the story and photos.
NYC Regional Reception, November 8
John Kim '94 and Will Shikani '06 hosted an alumni reception in midtown Manhattan that drew more than 50 alumni. Learn more and see photos here.
Wall Street 101, November 9
Current Upper School students spent the day in Manhattan, learning about business and finance and meeting with Gilman alumni in the industry. Read all about it and see photos.
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BUILDING BRIDGES
Bridges at Gilman is a program that provides long-term support for underserved students in Baltimore City public schools. Dr. Ned Harris, who leads the program, has three exciting opportunities for alumni participation: summer internships, the life coach program, and weekend/summer field trip learning experiences. Learn more about how you can be a part of this impactful program.
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WHAT'S THE BUZZ?
A bridge over Loch Raven Reservoir has been named for Cpl. Chris Coffland '84, who was killed in action in 2009. Stephen Curry interviewed Mekhi Johnson '18 for his Under Armour series, "Wired Different." Wolfgang Drake '16 is the youngest ironman. Find details of these stories and more on Buzz Worthy.
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SAVE THESE DATES
Nov. 27
Apr. 26-28, 2019
Alumni Weekend
for classes ending in 4s and 9s
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
Remembering the Gilman Alumni Who Perished in WWI
More than 100 Gilman alumni, faculty, and trustees served in World War I. Three Gilman alumni were killed in service overseas and one died of the illness just a few weeks into his service and one month before the end of the war. The war touched the lives of everyone. One hundred years after the November 11, 1918 Armistice, we look back at their service in Lumen.
