Retirement Party for Three Longtime Tandem Educators

On Saturday, June 9, over 200 Tandem community members gathered on the quad to celebrate and bid farewell to three beloved teachers/adminstrators who, combined, served Tandem Friends for almost 100 years: Pru Huddleston (Upper School Art), Steve Ganong (Upper School Math), and Tom O'Connor (MS Director and math teacher). Alumni and current students, current and past parents, current and former faculty and staff, and friends and family alike enjoyed visiting over barbeque and bluegrass on the quad. The rain even held off to provide a lovely summer evening.

An informational tent about each of the retirees honored their impact on the community, with an art tent for Pru, a Ganongathon tent for Steve, and a grab an instrument and play tent for Tom. Guests could create art or written word messages for Pru, Steve and Tom. There were photo collages of alums through the years, a table of Tandem t-shirts, yearbooks and other memorabilia for the taking, and little-known facts about each retiree on display around campus.

It was a low-key, casual gathering that allowed many to come by, catch up, and say thanks! We're not sure yet what a Tandem Friends without Pru, Steve and Tom will feel like, but it was a lovely sendoff for three very deserving, dedicated, and loved faculty members.

Check out a photo slideshow of the evening here. Many thanks to alum and staff member Mary Lyman-Bias and her crew for creating such a magical evening.