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

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Insight Studios Mr. Odden’s SCHOOL By Andrew Karas ’01 Vespers was a tradition Lance believed to be at the heart of our school—a coming together, a time of reflection—and throughout his tenure spoke every week when possible. There is a certain comfort in convention, for institutions as well as individuals, especially when the tradition is one of sustained success and strength. This alone might have been reason enough for the Taft community to register a significant response to the announcement that Headmaster Lance Odden will retire from his post on June 30. Taft has, after all, grown accustomed to having a sure hand at its helm. 28 Spring 2001
Craig Ambrosio Insight Studios INFLUENCE AND IDEALS Lance reveled in student accomplishments and spent innumerable Wednesday and Saturday afternoons out by the athletic fields rooting for the Big Red. Over the past 29 years, that hand has steered our school to prosperity and prominence, which we take for granted but which were unattainable for much of Taft’s history. That we are an equal and a rival of the greatest boarding schools in the country, that we rest on a $132 million endowment, that our facilities are new and first-rate, we know. And we recite The happy task of awarding diplomas at Commencement that list every time we try to explain what Mr. Odden has done for Taft, and why we revere him for it. And yet, we cannot help but feel that there is more—more than money, more than buildings, numbers, and fundraisers—to account for Mr. Odden’s success as headmaster of Taft. For while the numbers so often quoted—the soaring dollars, the shrinking As master of ceremonies, Lance dedicates the Weaver track last spring with the help of captains Venroy July ’00 and Kim Noel ’00, and of course, Bill Weaver. It’s been a long day, longer than usual. The fluster of six classes over, I want to talk to someone. About my day, myself, about me, me, me. I want someone’s full attention, even though I have no significant problem. As I pass his office, I see the open door. I wonder if he’s too busy... I wonder if I could pop in for no reason at all... I wonder if he would mind...? I peek in. “Hello, Mr. Odden.” He sets his pen on his desk, leans back, and motions me to the “advisee chair” located nearest to his own. This is the man who runs The Taft School, who is readying for his retirement, whose daily desk work is more crucial than my end-of-year exams, whose schedule for every day of next week is already booked. But he drops everything, his eyes on mine, his chair facing mine, and asks, “How are you, Annie?” I am struck by his genuine interest in me. For 20 precious minutes, he devotes his attention, knowledge, advice, support, and encouragement to me. Amidst all of his influence and power, Mr. Odden is a teacher. Although he has never taught me a class, he is the best teacher I have ever had. —Annie Olson ’01 Mr. Odden has been so much fun to work with this year. Our school monitor meetings with him are influential yet entertaining. He is always concerned with what we see going on in school, and asks how we think any problems should be dealt with. Mr. Odden has led by example, showing us how to be patient and understanding, yet influential and strong in the face of any problem. He is always interested in how we are doing. By having us be involved in everything that goes on at Taft, Mr. Odden has allowed us to see what it takes to run such a successful school. —Ashley Cecchinato ’01 I really enjoy getting to know Mr. Odden. I used to think he was always formal, but now that I’m one of his advisees, I can talk to him in a casual way. I am comfortable talking to him about anything. He always has some piece of advice, like a wise godparent. I am amazed by his smarts and by his knowledge of the world. He knows how to read people, and he takes care of the students at Taft so well. I don’t know what the school will be like without him here. I know that I will miss our meetings, and his Morning Meeting speeches. —Hannah Baker ’03 Taft Bulletin 29
Page 1 and 2: Farewell to the Oddens
Page 3 and 4: BULLETIN SPRING•2001 Volume 71 Nu
Page 5 and 6: ALUMNI IN THE NEWS Alumni IN THE NE
Page 7 and 8: ALUMNI IN THE NEWS New Additions to
Page 9 and 10: Peter Frew ’75 AROUND THE POND Wy
Page 11: AROUND THE POND Winter Big Red Scor
Page 14 and 15: S P O T L I G H T position could an
Page 16 and 17: Insight Studios Insight Studios S P
Page 18 and 19: S P O T L I G H T Moreover, a convi
Page 20 and 21: S P O T L I G H T many great states
Page 22 and 23: S P O T L I G H T visits to the inf
Page 24 and 25: ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Page 26 and 27: ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Page 30 and 31: Insight Studios S P O T L I G H T
Page 32 and 33: S P O T L I G H T Reflections 32 Sp
Page 34 and 35: S P O T L I G H T uncomfortable; th
Page 36 and 37: S P O T L I G H T were flying. Ever
Page 38 and 39: E N D N O T E The Virtues of Horace
Page 40 and 41: E N D N O T E resting comfortably i
Page 42: Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID P

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

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?