January 2022
Academy Alumni in the News
Evan Ruff ’99 (pictured) is the CEO and co-founder of OXOS Medical, a medtech spin-off out of Georgia Tech. The company recently created the Micro C, an FDA-cleared handheld X-ray system. The device can be used to capture high resolution X-ray images and video of any anatomy from the shoulder to the fingers and the knee to the toes. This new technology prevents situations where clinicians have to handle and operate large machinery to perform simple X-ray imaging. Additionally, the system produces 80% less radiation than existing systems. For perspective, if an operator used the Micro C all day every working day for a year, they would have exposed themselves to less radiation than an international flight. Also included in this month's press clips are Ed Carter ’96, Michael Corey ’01, Darrell Davis ’87, Courtney Deena ’13, Jim Keny ’73, Tara Keny ’03, Tim Keny ’73, James Nelson ’88, Sandhya Ramaswamy ’12, Jonathan Razi ’08, Rick Ricart ’98, Angie (Hockman) Thomas ’01, Vic Thorne ’92 and Glen Wilson ’87 as well as obituaries for Daniel Archiebald Carmichael III ’68, Dr. George Michael Hannah ’65, Theodore S. Hoster '62 and Miner (Mike) Seymour ’67.

Did you know "Alumni in the News" is consistently the most read section of the Alumni Newsletter? We want to hear from you! If you have clips that you have authored or where you are featured (either in print or on the web), please pass them along for future issues. Press clippings can be sent to Director of Alumni Relations Melissa Clarke Beckett at beckettm@columbusacademy.org.
Susan Neal Lobby Dedication 1/29/22
The lobby outside of our Schoedinger Theatre will be dedicated in honor of the late Susan Neal on Saturday, January 29, prior to the middle school production of "Matilda the Musical Jr."

The program will start at 5:30 p.m. and will include remarks from Susan's family, a formal dedication of the lobby and a musical performance. Afterwards, a celebration of life will take place with hor d'oeuvres, beverages and the chance to commemorate an extraordinary teacher and friend.

For those interested, a limited number of tickets to the musical have been reserved for those attending the lobby dedication. They will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The performance of "Matilda the Musical Jr." begins at 7:30 p.m. Please contact Middle School Librarian Stacy Nockowitz if you are interested in securing tickets at nockowitzs@columbusacademy.org.

Kindly RSVP for the lobby dedication below.
Duo of Stellar Vikings to be Inducted on February 5
The Alumni Association will recognize and honor Ed Carter '96 and Katie Walker '02 for their outstanding contributions to the athletic program at Columbus Academy.

Ed and Katie will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the dining hall and, immediately following, will be recognized on the court at halftime of the basketball game against Wellington. All alumni are welcome to attend!

Kindly RSVP to alumni@columbusacademy.org.
Alumni Board Seeking Nominations
The Nominating Committee is seeking nominations to the Alumni Board of Directors. The Board of Directors fulfills the vital role of carrying out the Alumni Association's purpose of fostering goodwill among all alumni and the school, benefiting alumni through the organization of events and interaction with the school, and furthering the academic purposes of Columbus Academy. 
 
For more information about the Alumni Board, its functions and current members, please click here. Third-party and self nominations are welcome in writing to Director of Alumni Relations Melissa Clarke Beckett at beckettm@columbusacademy.org
Save the Date: Class of 1970 Spring Gathering
The Class of 1970, which celebrated its 50th reunion in the fall of 2021, has decided to hold another gathering on March 11 in Naples, Florida. So far, ten classmates and spouses say they are attending. In addition to sunset cocktails at the home of class member John Fergus and dinner at The Naples Sailing and Yacht Club, those spending more than the evening plan on golfing, fishing and other outdoor fun.

For more information, or if you are interested in attending, please contact John Fergus '70.
Alumni Holiday Luncheon
On December 22, alumni gathered with family and friends in addition to former and current faculty/staff members for the annual Alumni Holiday Luncheon at the Grand Event Center. Bill McMenamy '58 was honored as the 2021 Distinguished Alumnus, and Kay Mason received the 2021 Alumni Service Award. Click here to view photos from the event.
 
To watch the introductions (by Steve Brown '58 and Deidre Hamlar, respectively) and acceptance speeches, click on the following links: Distinguished Alumnus, Alumni Service Award.

In all that has changed at Columbus Academy over the decades, including effects of a pandemic over the past two years, one tradition that has strongly endured is the Junior Speech. For that reason, Jacob Mowery ’23 was invited to share his recent speech pondering the question of whether robots can write poetry. “His story is certainly one I hope we see more of at Academy,” said Head of School Melissa Soderberg in her introduction of Jacob. “Students from all over different parts of the city finding their way to us and giving us what they have to offer and hoping that we get to be part of developing them.” To watch Jacob's junior speech presentation, click here.
Summer Experience Registration
A preview of Summer Experience 2022 is here! From boxing to Broadway and everything in between, you can start making your plans now for a summer of endless possibilities.

Priority registration for returning campers who signed up last year opens on February 1, for Columbus Academy families and alumni on February 2 and to the general public on February 3. Sessions begin on June 7 and continue through August 5.

Click here to see a copy of this year's online brochure.
School News
It was wonderful to see so many beautiful bowls, enthusiastic students and our community supporting the Westerville Habitat Partnership at the annual Empty Bowls/Soup for Shelter event on December 10 at Otterbein University (view photos). The money raised will go towards the annual walls-build event slated for August when Academy families and members of our community will help build a home for someone in need.
Academy senior Anna Linder captured first place in the soloist violin group for ages 16-18 during the recent 2021 Bellagrande International Music Competition! Her performance of Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2, Op. 63, I also earned bronze in the Overall Grand Prize as she was the only violinist to medal. Additionally, Anna teamed with junior cellist Kate Fornshell in the Dajj String Quartet to win first prize in the chamber ensemble category for ages 16-18. They performed Mendelssohn String Quartet Op 12, No.2, I in the competition that featured musicians from all over the world including China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Thailand and North America.
Sports News
JoAnne Adams, chair of our PE department, started the Little Dribblers program with the help of the late Keith Helfant '82 during the 1999-2000 school year. Beginning with the very first participants from Academy's Class of 2009, the PE class project has been a winter highlight for third-graders and has even served as a catalyst for future Viking basketball standouts. School photographer Cynthia Wilson captured that connection in a social media gallery by mixing images of current seniors as Little Dribblers with pictures of them as varsity players giving high-fives to this year's performers (click here to view). Also, former Little Dribbler and current senior Sophie Spolter is expected to surpass the 1,000-point total for her career during tonight's 6:00 p.m. home game against Fisher Catholic. After scoring 25 points in her last game, Sophie currently has 999 career points and could be the first player in our girls program to reach 1,000 since the late Andrea Esselstein '00 achieved that mark as a junior in 1999.
Send In Your Class Notes

We love keeping in touch with our alumni, and we want to hear all of your latest news. Here are some of the updates we are looking for:

New family additions
Big moves
New jobs
New schools, titles or degrees
Exciting trips or accomplishments
General updates
Engagements/Marriages

We also love pictures, so you can send those along as well. Fill out our class notes form at columbusacademy.org/alumniclassnotes or send via email to alumni@columbusacademy.org to be sure your message is included in an upcoming issue of Experience, the school's recently redesigned magazine!