South Kent School always follows the success and accomplishments of its alumni, as many have gone on to do incredible things that change the world. The Old Building is home to plaques that highlight these alumni contributions in their professional field. This year, we have added 13 new alumni plaques throughout the dining hall of the Old Building, showcasing hard work and dedication to their crafts.
One person highlighted in the Old Building includes Shayne Gostisbehere, an NHL player who has dazzled on the ice and in his philanthropic pursuits. Along with athletes, the Old Building possesses South Kent professionals in the arts such as Sarge Pickman, a world-renowned comedian, Charles Reid, the master of watercolor, and James G. Bellows, an editor and publisher of the most famous documents in American history such as Martin Luther King’s “Letters from Birmingham Jail.” Chip Monck also holds a plaque of his own from trailblazing in the music industry, organizing and designing elements for worldwide events such as the Woodstock Festival and the Olympics.
Furthermore, figures such as F.K. Day and Mark B. Thompson have used their engineering and architecture expertise to improve the structural integrity of the world’s buildings and vehicles. William Farish III and Richard H. Lawrence earned their mark on the hallowed Old Building walls as well, thriving in finance and business industries on a global scale.
The Hillside is also proud to share the accolades of two valiant leaders who exhibit their loyalty and patriotism to our country. While John Richardson served as a member of the CIA until 2005, Peter Langenberg’s unwavering commitment to our safety helped him win the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Prisoner of War Medal. The Old Building’s last two plaques include Walter Strohmeyer, an important figure who has devoted his life to informing American citizens of environmental issues, and James Mercer Garnett Jr., who has displayed impeccable stewardship to South Kent School by innovating for the school’s future while upholding its beautiful traditions.
Other plaques that originally lived in the Old Building will now be scattered across the Hillside campus, serving as a reminder to all students that anything is possible with a positive attitude and a growth mindset. South Kent is excited to exhibit these inspiring journeys, and we look forward to unveiling more stories soon.