Dr. Aaron Esser-Kahn '00 delivered the keynote address to families and students at the fall Cum Laude induction. He was introduced by his former middle school history teacher Michael Roche, and many of his former teachers attended the event. Esser-Kahn called on his knowledge of botany when he used a plant analogy to urge students to grow, to harvest resources, and to be adaptable as they move into the next phase of their lives. He also spoke from the perspective of an experience researcher who had an aptitude for math and sciences as well as a love of literature and the written word, He assured students that they would benefit from cultivating skills from all of these disciplines, pointing out the need for clarity in communicating scientific research.  Esser-Kahn is a Professor at the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and heads up the Esser Kahn Lab, His research interests lie at the intersection of biology, chemistry and materials science.  

Click here to view video of Dr. Esser-Kahn's address
Click here to view more photos

This fall alumni returned to the classroom, sharing their skills and experiences. Ellen Levy '75 joined Mike German's Creative Non-Fiction class to talk about her newly published work "A Book About Ray," and Robb Aikens '85 spent the day speaking to John Twedt's anatomy classes about his work as a physical therapist.

Former English teacher and coach Dave Barney returned to campus this fall with his twin brother Robert Barney and reminisced with former students Stu White '66 and Flip Maxwell '66 about memorable victories and defeats on the Cranbrook fields and ice, as well as unforgettable moments in the classrooms and quadrangles. Barney taught English and physical education at Cranbrook from 1960-1967. He was also an assistant coach for football, and the head coach for ice hockey and baseball. In addition to stories and anecdotes about his former students, Barney noted that his time at Cranbrook provided him with a foundation for his notable 35 year teaching career and 61 year coaching career. "Mr. Wonnberger and Mr. Hoey believed in me and gave me opportunities before I could see what I was capable of myself," said Barney. He remembered being stunned the first time he approached the Cranbrook dining hall and an underclassman called out, "Master!" at the top of his lungs and all of the boys stepped aside to allow him to enter. "I looked around in wonder and realized they were waiting for me!" said Barney, still awed by the moment.

Rafał Trzaskowski, or "Ralph" as  he was known to his friends in Coulter, visited campus this fall, speaking with students at assemblies at both the upper and middle schools.

Addressing upper school students at Christ Church Cranbrook, Trzaskowski emphasized the appreciation he had for his time here, acknowledging that while he was here for one year, it helped set a foundation for his career in public service. He urged students to make the most of their time here and to respect and learn from each other's differences.

Due to severe flooding in Poland during his visit, Mayor Trzaskowski was called back to Poland earlier than anticipated, but before departing he carved out as much time as he could with students, leaving a huge impression.

Trzaskowski has served as the Mayor of Poland’s capital since 2018. In 2020, he was the democratic opposition’s candidate for the Presidency of Poland and came in a close second. Along with mayors of other European cities, Trzaskowski has played an important role in the Ukrainian refugee crisis, with Poland finding ways to accommodate two million Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. 

Click here to view a video clip of Rafal's visit
Read the Crane Clarion article about his visit
Click here for more photos

This fall, recipients of the Elizabeth Bennett Faculty Writing Grant read from their recent work at a gathering at the Cranbrook Library Reading Room. Second year grant recipient, world language instructor Audrey Bourriaud read a new poem and a selection from her novel in progress, Vice Versa. First-year grant recipient, English instructor Dr. Gania Barlow, shared a short story from her summer work.

Upper School Head Noel Dougherty celebrated the fact that this year's reading marked the 30th anniversary of the reading event, and noted that it was the 40th year that the grant had been awarded. She recognized the many "Bennett Alumni" in the audience, faculty and former faculty who had received the grant over the years, as well as alumni members of the Bennett Committee who were present, Karen Hagenlocker '81 and Leslie Schimpke Johnson '64.

Click here for video of the reading:
Click here to view more photos

In Cranbrook Regional Alumni Network (CRAN) news, our events in Boston and London are gathering steam.

Rafał Trzaskowski, or "Ralph" as  he was known to his friends in Coulter, will visit campus on Friday, September 20, speaking with students during the day and to families, alumni and special guests that evening. He has served as the Mayor of Poland’s capital since 2018. In 2020, he was the democratic opposition’s candidate for the Presidency of Poland and came in a close second. Along with mayors of other European cities, Trzaskowski has played an important role in the Ukrainian refugee crisis, with Poland finding ways to accommodate two million Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022.

Trzaskowski will interact with students at both the upper and middle schools that Friday, and he will speak at Kingswood auditorium at 6:30 p.m. that evening before an audience of Cranbrook Schools parents, alumni and special guests.

Born in Warsaw, Trzaskowski worked in an election office as a translator as a teenager when a group of U.S. congressional delegates visited. His linguistic skills and poise caught the attention of a Michigan representative, who encouraged him to consider coming to Cranbrook for his senior year. After his graduation from Cranbrook, he studied international relations and English philology at the University of Warsaw. He subsequently graduated in European studies from the College of Europe in Natolin (1997). He was granted a scholarship at the Oxford University in 1996 as well as the European Union Institute for Security Studies in Paris in 2002. In 2004, he obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in political science at the University of Warsaw's Faculty of Journalism and Political Science. He has served as an elected official in Poland since 2009.

Prior to his arrival at Cranbrook, Trzaskowski will deliver the Annual Copernicus Lecture at University of Michigan's Center for Polish Studies.

To reserve space at the Friday September 20 event with Rafal Trzaskowski, email alumni@cranbrook.edu.
Return to the Alumni Welcome Page

Click here to view the full recording of the Sirchio Lecture given by Henry Whiting '73 on April 24, 2024.

Cranbrook Schools alumnus Henry Whiting II ‘73, restorer and resident of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Teater Studio, spoke on campus as part of Cranbrook Schools' Sirchio Distinguished Speaker Series. Whiting shared his journey restoring his Frank Lloyd Wright home, Teater's Knoll in Bliss, Idaho. Whiting told the story of how his interest in architecture that was nurtured by his uncle Alden Dow grew inter a greater passion during  his time at Cranbrook. At University of Wisconsin his ambition to become a golf course architect was derailed by an architecture course that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. This led Whiting to research and purchase the Archie Teater Studio in Bliss, Idaho. Built in 1952 for a well-known painter, "Teeter's Knoll" was the only artist studio ever constructed to a Wright design. Whiting has restored the building over the years and opens it regularly to students and fans of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Whiting shared photos of architecture that ignited his passion for Wright's work, along with other projects he has been involved in over the years. His talk demonstrated how an appreciation for the beauty around us can become a lifelong calling. Whiting exemplified how one can become a true steward of the resources they come to cherish. In many ways, his talk provided a wonderful  highlighted the ambition of George and Ellen Booth's educational philosophy: to surround young people with both natural and man-made beauty in the hope that they would develop a deep appreciation for it. 

Prior to the lecture Whiting shared his understanding of Frank Lloyd Wright's design principles with Cranbrook Kingswood students from the History of Modern Architecture class. He toured the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Smith House with the class and shared his stories of earlier visits there with homeowners Sara and Melvyn Smith, as they swapped tales of life in a Frank Lloyd Wright gem.

View more photos from Henry Whiting's lecture and visit here: https://bit.ly/ckalumgallery

 -Senior May Project Intern Abeer Sheikh '24

View more photos from the event here: https://ckaaphotogallery.smugmug.com/
View the event recording at https://bit.ly/ckBacca24

Click HERE to visit the reunion page

Local alumni are invited to join the CKAA for their Annual Meeting and Alumni Gathering on May 7 from 6 - 8 p.m. This year's event will be held at Gran Castor 2950 Rochester Road in Troy.

This will be a very special evening to celebrate some longtime faculty and former faculty, including special guests John Twedt, David Mogill and Jo Jo Macey. The CKAA is  are grateful to Gran Castor proprietors Curt Catallo '85 & Ann Stevenson, and Managing Partner Erich Lines '83 for their support of this event.

RSVP for this event by emailing alumni@cranbrook.edu with your name, the number of guests attending, and your class year.

From the membership of the CKAA.

Officers:   Alex Paul '07, Ekta Lobo Wilcox ‘89, Grant Drzyzga '10, Jennifer Cook '99, Latonya Riddle-Jones '97
Directors:  Priscilla Crockett-Femster '96, Sharell Elam '99, Marilyn Franklin '96, Paul Gamble '82, Liz Groth '99, Rebecca McLaughlin Haines '07, Jen Miller Heath '00, Rob Kremhelmer '96, Carl Klemmer '89, Symone Jackson Kumar '07, Robert Li '15, Tarian Marks ’97, Christian Ohanian '04. Ian Perkins '05, Emme Reasoner '13,  Nicola Reasoner '11, Scott Weinberg '80

Emeritus Members: Kenneth Bassey '86, Dave Baumhart ‘62, Laurie Frankel '79, Ann Osborn Hartzell-Kneen ‘54, Bill Hill '80, Sarah Levine Jacobs '82, Wade Mezey '76, Helen Billig Reasoner '82, Jan Mittenthal Rosen '83 

The classes of 1944, 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019 are celebrating milestone reunions this year! We are tracking reunion registrations for each of these classes in the class dropdown menus on the Cranbrook Schools Reunion Page so you can see who has already signed up, and reach out to those whose names don't appear on the list yet and encourage them to come.

Click on the class year to see who is coming so far:
1944, 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019.

Discounted pricing is available on all meal tickets through May 31. We ask that all alumni register in advance, whether they are a milestone celebrant attending a full weekend of activities or a local alum going to the cocktail party.  Name tags are required for all events, and your advance registration will help make things go smoothly for everyone that weekend. 

Click here to go directly to the registration.

• Share Your Memories: Visit the sharing pages to share stories, photos, and memories of Jessie Sinclair (Dance Director 1961-2002) and Charles Geroux (Director of Performing Arts 1970-1999).
  
  • Share stories and photos of Jessie Sinclair: https://padlet.com/CKshares/JSinclair
  • Share stories and photos of Charles Geroux: https://padlet.com/CKshares/geroux
• Submit a Song Suggestion: Post your favorite song from one of the musicals or dance performances from your era on our Padlet. We will add the most requested songs to the playlist for the evening.
  
  • Submit your song suggestion here: https://padlet.com/CKshares/ckCelebratePerfArts. We will go back in time with sing-alongs and dances from yesteryear.

Return to the Alumni Welcome Page

The weather outside might be frightful, but nothing can stop our alumni from visiting campus when they are near. Over the holidays Peter Schmidt '57 came to town from Falls Church, VA and his grandson Alex Eikenberry '20 was in from University of Arizona. They carved out time for a multi-generational visit to the newly renovated alumni courtyard. Laurel Robertson Shouvlin '74  paid a visit to Kingswood from Ohio, touring the weaving studio and paying a quick trip to her class plaque in advance of her 50th reunion in June. On her visit she had a chance to connect with Sally Carpenter Kerr '74 who surprised her, coming up for air from the undercarriage of a loom she was repairing, a labor of love Sally continues to perform in the studio.

In February Jane Miley Rivkin '61 visited campus with her daughter, visiting author Susan Verde. Jane attended sessions at Brookside led by her daughter who read from her book, "Who I Am: Stories I Tell Myself" to a rapt audience.  Following the Brookside readings, Jane and Susan toured Kingswood.

Family members of alumni are always welcome to visit campus to remember the Cranbrook Kingswood legacy of their loved ones. Laura Butus, daughter of the late Keith Butus '78 came on a visit with friends earlier this month. She enjoyed seeing the alumni courtyard, the quadrangle and dormitories that figured in so  many of her dad's stories of his formative years.

Even in the cold, crisp winter, our campus remains a hub for alumni.

Return to the Alumni Welcome Page

The upcoming weeks are busy ones for our regional alumni networks with events coming up in Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.  Space at all CRAN events is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. See below for details, registration and to see who is signed up so far.

Alumni  - save these dates for upcoming outreach events in Washington DC and Portland.