A NEW DAY DAWNS - Boston Latin School

ALUmNi AwArD wiNNerS
volunteer recognition
The Desmond Award was established by the Boston Latin School Association in
memory of Dr. Joseph Desmond ’44, teacher, acting head master and loyal alumnus,
and is presented annually to a BLS alumnus/a whose contributions to the school
typify the spirit of dedication and generosity that Desmond exemplified.
This year, the Desmond Award honors Duncan o’Brien ’78. Few alumni have done so
much behind the scenes to build BLSA. his accomplishments aren’t the glamorous ones
that receive much notice, but his commitment and quiet enthusiasm have made BLSA
intrinsically stronger.
o’Brien grew up in Brighton and put his best efforts into several BLS teams—the band,
the sailing team, the math team and the chess team. he graduated from harvard
College, where he concentrated in economics, and harvard Law School. After working
briefly for a federal appeals court judge in Macon, GA, he worked in New York City
law firms for a dozen years. he participated in the New York chapter of the BLSA and
he continued his involvement when he moved to Boston nine years ago to work in the
Boston office of Sullivan & Worcester LLP, where he is a partner.
he served as a member of the board of trustees of BLSA from 1999 to 2006. Duncan
wrote the Association’s conflict of interest and whistle-blower policies. With a keen
understanding of the changing face of charitable organizations, he launched the firstever
BLSA audit committee and worked with external auditors to ensure compliance. he
lives in Wellesley with his wife, Marlene Rehkamp, and three children and he continues
to serve as the “voice of reason” on the finance and audit committees of the BLSA.
Lee J. dunn ’24 award
John Page ’55
26 Bulletin fall 2007
dr. Joseph desmond ’44 award
Duncan
O’Brien ’78
The Dunn Award was established by the family and friends of Lee J. Dunn ’24,
librarian of the school and executive secretary of the Association, whose diligence
and thoughtful actions enabled many Latin students to go to college. It is given
annually to a BLS alumnus/a who has shown dedication, commitment and industry
in furthering the efforts of the school and its alumni.
John Page ’55 has seen BLS from all sides. As a student, he was inspired by his
masters, who instilled in him an interest in math that led to his career as a math master
at BLS. he guided students, encouraging them in their math studies from 1959 until
his retirement in 1999. For 20 of those years he also served as faculty advisor for
the National honor Society and senior class. Although retired, his love of Alma Mater
goes on; he continues to play a role in the life of the school and the Association as a
continuing member of the Prize Committee and a volunteer for his class. it is the legacy
of complete devotion he applied to his work as a leader of the Prize Committee that
earned a unanimous stamp of approval from the Dunn Committee.
Page truly respects the impact that scholarships can have on a student’s life. he is
known as much for his quiet grace as his fairness and unassuming style. For decades,
he devoted much of his time getting to know the students at BLS and matching
their strengths and interests with the wishes of the donor families. As his retirement
approached he went the extra mile and invested time in training his successor, leaving
meticulous files and records for the benefit of the committee and, ultimately, the
students. he and his wife, Bonnie, residents of Dover, have been married since 1962.
They have two children and three grandchildren who are a great source of pride.