Farewell to the Oddens Farewell to the Oddens - The Taft School

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S P O T L I G H T many great statespeople were products of families revered for political or social service; also that many had been young leaders as students. In other words, leadership, like creativity can, at least, be nurtured through increased opportunities and motivated by role model teachers. • • • The Oddens themselves have set the standards with their demeanor. To be sure, they are natural leaders, but no one is born with composure and compassion. Masters of formal bearing and self-control, the Oddens have never bent under the weight of responsibilities. It is difficult to remember when either one has evinced frustration, confusion, fatigue, or despair. Anger, perhaps, when confronting an act of incivility or a stupid breach of sportsmanship, but anger directed at the act, with only disappointment toward the kids. Moreover, for all their pride in Taft and in themselves, the Oddens have lived above vanity or arrogance. Humor and a sense of reality have served them like friends. Of course, stormproof composure must be seen to be believed. For examples, Lance in one of those full-faculty meetings “suddenly announced” or Patsy coaching a pivotal hockey game on Mothers’ Day. No one would know that Lance is off to a New England or national meeting and will have to polish his speech between airports, or that Patsy, as director of girls’ athletics, has spent the morning checking the arrangements for home and away teams, and, as First Lady, directing the reception and lunch for 500 parents of both sexes. Undoubtedly the source of their poise has been a “joy of duty” and a generous spirit. All constituents have known the Oddens’ far-reaching hospitality. For dinner parties under thirty, Patsy has often done the cooking. Their house in Vermont is a veritable Green Mountain inn for drifting Tafties. (Lance and Patsy will play golf with almost anyone.) Also, “until this year,” Lance has known every student by name. Together he and Patsy have rooted from the sidelines of every game they could get to. (But don’t touch Lance’s cap with the “T” on it.) Perhaps most memorable will be the Oddens’ Lance with Kathy Sheridan ’79 Patsy greets mothers on opening day in 1992. An accomplished hostess, Patsy graciously returns alumni applause for her contributions in making the Centennial Celebration an outstanding success. One of the school’s greatest strengths has been Lance’s unerring judgment in appointing administrators, here late assistant headmaster Al Reiff Sr. 20 Spring 2001
Insight Studios INFLUENCE AND IDEALS Proving that Taft is indeed like a family, the Oddens welcome Lance’s college roommate and past ambassador to Egypt and India Frank Wisner and his wife Christine, whose son David graduated with the Class of 2000. Board Chairman Peter Fink ’51 confers honorary diplomas on Lance and Patsy at the Centennial Celebration in 1990. Lance has been the best in the business, and has the school—and the affection of its people—to prove it. I am among many school heads who regarded him as the model. His work for independent schools at the state, regional, and national levels did much to raise the stature of our institutions in the public and government eye. In that sense, all of us have been indebted to him. —James M. Coyle ’52 former headmaster, Greens Farms Academy When Patsy and Lance took our ’89 hockey team to Switzerland, I remember sitting at a typically Swiss restaurant with local music, good food, and a round of simple drinks. Lance and Patsy and the whole team broke out into song as the musicians taught us the chorus. At that moment, I realized that they were not only administrators, leaders, coaches, parents, and teachers who deserved my utmost respect, but they were also incredibly fun people and good friends. —Jess Matzkin ’90 Spanish teacher Lance set us on a course that allowed us to believe in ourselves. Much as we speak about teachers empowering students, for 28 years, he empowered teachers and taught us how to lead. —Ferdie Wandelt ’66, P’91,’96 director of admissions Lance and Patsy on the athletic fields in 1974 I always had someplace to go for an opinion I respected. Lance’s influence has not been just on the school, but on those who have worked with him. —Rusty Davis assistant headmaster for residential life Lance has made countless contributions to higher education beyond the walls of the kind, firm molder—especially the too often thankless, but manifestly necessary undertakings: assuring equal opportunity in secondary school education, and teaching The Taft School and other communities to open their eyes to the educational value and joys of diversity. —Wesley S. Williams ’59 Never underestimating the role of the headmaster’s secretary, Lance frequently credited Milly Reilly with helping him secure his first post at Taft. Karyl Scrivener and Graceann Hess (pictured) have been her able successors. Taft Bulletin 21
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