Alumni: Staying Connected

The Moses Brown Alumni Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Spring Alumni Awards who will be honored at this year’s Reunion celebrations.
 

The 25th Reunion Achievement Award
Since 1966, the Moses Brown Alumni Association has presented the Achievement Award to a member of the 25th Reunion Class in recognition of professional excellence and outstanding service to the community. 

Dr. Albert S. Huang ’99

Albert is a Principal Engineer at Cruise, LLC - a General Motors subsidiary building self-driving vehicles. He has 19 years of experience working on autonomous vehicles, drones, and manufacturing robots. He received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT, where he was a technical lead on MIT's 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge team to build and race a self-driving car. He co-founded and was CTO of Optimus Ride, a self-driving vehicle startup acquired by Magna Electronics in 2021. Prior to that, Albert led navigation and perception efforts at Google's autonomous aerial delivery drone Project Wing, and was the software architect for the Baxter manufacturing robot at Rethink Robotics. Albert has published a book on Bluetooth and is an author and inventor on numerous papers and patents on robotics and autonomous vehicles.

The Distinguished Alum Award
The Distinguished Alum Award recognizes an alum for significant, long-term success in personal and professional achievements, who has made outstanding contributions to their profession and has rendered distinguished service to the public welfare, thus honoring Moses Brown School.

Samuel M. Mencoff ’74

Samuel M. Mencoff is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Temple Hall Group, a privately-held diversified industrial manufacturing holding company headquartered in Chicago. He is a Founding Partner and former Co-CEO of Madison Dearborn Partners, one of the nation’s leading private equity investment firms. He retired from Madison Dearborn in 2023, concluding a 42 year career, and currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the firm.

Mr. Mencoff was elected the 21st Chancellor of Brown University in 2016, after having served on the Brown Corporation as a Fellow since 2009. He previously
served on the Board of Trustees from 2003 to 2009. He currently serves as a Commissioner of the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery, Vice Chair of the Board of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he serves as Chair of the Committee on American Art, and is Lead Independent Director of Packaging Corporation of America.

In addition, Mr. Mencoff is a past director of NorthShore University HealthSystem, the Regional Transportation Authority, and World Business Chicago, as well as numerous public and private companies, including Boise Cascade, Buckeye Cellulose, Georgia Marble Company, Graphic Packaging, Great Lakes Dredge Dock, Huntway Refining, Smurfit Kappa Group, and Nuveen Investments.

Mr. Mencoff and his wife, Ann, are active collectors of American furniture, paintings, sculpture, and decorative art. They are deeply committed to the study and preservation of significant examples of American architecture, and have restored and maintain historic properties in Virginia, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Indiana.

Mr. Mencoff earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in
Anthropology from Brown University in 1978, and an M.B.A. from Harvard
Business School in 1981. 

 

Faculty/Staff Member of the Year
Each year, the Moses Brown Alumni Association honors a member of the faculty or staff for impact on the school community. Chosen from many fine teachers, and members of the staff, the recipient is recognized as an outstanding professional, educator, mentor, and friend.

Karin Morse ’79

Karin is presently senior alumni relations officer, middle school world language teacher and boys' varsity tennis coach.  She has truly enjoyed her alumni relations work, especially her partnership with the Alumni Association. For many years, she also taught French, some middle school Latin, and German and world history in the upper school and was dean of students for 13 years. Over the years, she has coached girls' varsity soccer, boys' and girl's squash, girls' ice hockey, girls' tennis and since 1985 boys' tennis. She was an upper school advisor for 25 years and advisor to various clubs including the Cheese Club and PAWS Club, and the group that created S.P.A.F.  Karin was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003 and served on the MBAA Board from 1985-1995.

Karin earned her A.B. from Brown University in 1984 with a concentration in German and Comparative Literature and her Ed.M. in 1992 from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Administration, Planning and Social Policy. 

 

 

At a time where students are beginning to make decisions about their future, what better way to explore their options than to tap into Moses Brown’s extensive alumni network? Over 40 alumni and community members from all over the world came to campus on March 1, 2024 to share with 11th and 12th grade students their professional experiences in a wide range of industries: arts and entertainment; building and construction; business, media, and communications; education; engineering, and tech; entrepreneurship; finance; government and public service; healthcare; law; non-profit/NGO; environmental sciences; psychology; marketing and sales; sports management; and venture capital.

Photo gallery below:

The Moses Brown Alumni Association (MBAA) and Advancement Office, in partnership with the Upper School, hosted MB Connects: Career Explorations Day for current juniors and seniors. The event provided an invaluable opportunity for students to gain insights into various professions, discover potential academic and/or career paths, and receive guidance on navigating the exciting journey ahead.

“I think it's important for these students to hear about people's different career paths as they begin their journey,” said alum Erin Shippee ’95, founding member of Steward Asset Management, about why she returned to campus to meet with current students. 

Alumni and community members from a vast array of career fields were in attendance, such as CEO of Wistia Chris Savage ’01; Steve DeLeo ’15, press secretary for U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse; founder of SquadLocker Gary Goldberg ’87, Emmy Award-nominated television producer Danielle Weiss Medina ’92; reporter/anchor at WPRI12 Kim Kalunian ’07; Associate Judge for the State of Rhode Island Hon. Melissa R. Dubose P’19 ’22; and national best-selling novelist Dawn Tripp P’19 ’24.

Ahead of the event, students selected sessions to attend based on career paths and industries that they wanted to learn more about, and they were each placed in two of their top choices. Before the sessions began, upper schoolers were encouraged to be open to what they might learn and to consider what connections they could make that might be beneficial in the future.

“Make a connection that feels really promising and forward moving,” encouraged Head of Upper School Laura Twichell.  “There's an incredible opportunity today to connect with people who may be real resources for you later.”

Each session featured two to four panelists of professionals who provided career insights to a small group of students. The panelists shared how they decided to pursue their chosen field, what levels of education were required, and what it’s like to work in their profession day-to-day. The panelists also saved time for one-on-one breakout sessions so that students could ask questions and receive personalized advice. 

Many of the day’s visiting professionals noted that it’s difficult to know in high school exactly what direction your career path will take you in the future.

“You just really never know what's out there,” shared Jo Ruano Ames '10, vice president of sales at Garner Health. “I think it's really important to have an open mind as you go through today,” she said. 

The opportunity was not only valuable for the students, but for alumni as well, as it brought their MB experience full circle. 

“I was so excited to be able to come and share some of my 30 years of work experience with the folks here at MB,” said Adrienne Schaberg Filipov '91, managing director and partner, chief human capital officer at Warburg Pincus. 

We hope many of today’s students will be inspired to share their own professional experiences when they become alumni, passing on the tradition for generations to come.

Legendary faculty member and track coach adds to his immeasurable legacy at MB

King B. "Doc" Odell, Jr., the longest-serving faculty member in Moses Brown's history and the track and cross country coach for 40 years, has added to his immeasurable legacy by including in his estate plans the lead gift to support the renovation and revitalization of the outdoor track that was named in his honor in 2005. A revered member of the Moses Brown School community, Doc passed away on September 26, 2023.

In the final months of his life, Doc had several conversations with Karin Morse ’79, Senior Alumni Engagement Officer, and Elizabeth Breidinger, Director of Advancement about his estate plans. Having already made plans to leave the school a transformative gift to support faculty, Doc spoke with Karin and Elizabeth about how much he valued his four decades coaching cross country and track. He wanted his ultimate contribution to the school to reflect his dedication to both teaching and coaching.

“I feel fortunate to have spent time with Doc and am honored to have heard many stories from him and Karin about their lives at Moses Brown,” said Elizabeth Breidinger, Director of Advancement. “When Doc shared his wishes, I was inspired, knowing all that Doc had done for this community over six decades of service. Countless alumni, faculty, and staff have shared the profound impact Doc had on them, and this extraordinary donation is a testament to the impact the Moses Brown community had on Doc. He was excited about this project and said “there is nothing more beautiful than a track meet at night.”  

Doc was best known for his high standards and relentless expectations as a teacher of French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, and Latin, and as track coach extraordinaire. He came to Moses Brown in 1953, teaching geography to students in grades 6 - 8.

Doc served as the head winter track coach from 1964 to 1997 and the head varsity coach of cross country and spring track from 1964 to 2004. Under his leadership, the teams achieved three Rhode Island Interscholastic League Winter Championships, 22 New England Prep School Track Association Winter Championships, eight New England Cross-Country Championships, 14 spring New England Track Championships, three victories at the Peddie School Relays, and a second-place finish at the Prep School Mile Relay of America at the Penn Relays. While Doc’s track coaching accomplishments are remarkable, his mentorship, guidance, and friendship are what his former students and athletes remember most. 

“One theme I’ve heard consistently from alumni in my first six months at MB is the distinctiveness of the faculty-student relationship,” said Head of School Katie Titus. “Through the voices of alumni at our Memorial Meeting for Worship for Doc Odell this fall, I came to appreciate the many ways in which Doc was a true standard bearer for our school and its faculty; an exemplar of what it means to be fully committed to the intellectual and personal growth of each student. I am in awe of his fierce belief in this school, its Quaker mission, and its people, and am humbled by his ultimate expression of care and generosity.”

Alumnus Ken Hoxsie ’68, shared the tremendous impact Doc’s passion for teaching, and winning, had in shaping his time both at and beyond Moses Brown.

“[Doc was] passionate about teaching, he was tough and demanding in class, insisting on rigor in thought and speech, and everyone who survived those demands emerged the better for it. He was equally tough and demanding as a coach, and he was competitive! As athletes, we were naturally competitive, but Doc’s intensity made us push ourselves and refuse to be satisfied. We re-captured the 4x160 relay state record in 1967 because we knew he wanted it, and that is how inspiring leaders motivate. He always expected nothing less than our best, and he made us expect the same of ourselves.”

Inspired by Doc Odell’s lead gift, the school is launching an intensive fundraising effort to ensure the Odell Track replacement is fully funded through donations. In order to complete the project by Fall 2024, 100% of the project costs need to be secured by mid-March. 

The $3.5 million Doc Odell Track renovation and revitalization project includes the construction of a new track foundation and the installation of a sandwich system, resin-based running surface built to NCAA specifications. The project will include new high jump, pole vault, triple jump, and long jump areas as well as all new track equipment, improved drainage, ADA accessibility, and the infrastructure for future stadium lights.

If you would like to learn more details about the project or making a gift, click here or please contact Elizabeth Breidinger, Director of Advancement at (401) 831-7350 x234 or ebreidinger@mosesbrown.org.
 

The Moses Brown Alumni Association and friends joined together to kick off Homecoming weekend on Thursday, October 19 at the annual Fall Alumni Awards Reception. Held at the Providence Art Club, the event celebrated two accomplished Moses Brown alumni: Eric Cioè Peña ‘01, who received the Outstanding Young Alum Award, and Keith Monchik ‘90, who received the Karin Morse ‘79 Service to Alma Mater Award.

“Independent Schools like Moses Brown teach you to think outside the box,” remarked Eric Cioè Peña ‘01 upon receiving his award. “It taught me to think that when someone says you can’t do something, I should always say ‘Why? Why can’t we do that?’ Having that boldness, especially for the things that MB teaches are important like integrity and service, is why I’m standing in front of you today.” 

“Volunteering allows us to give back in a meaningful way - whether it’s through mentorship, community service, or supporting the next generation of students,” said Keith Monchik, ‘90. “Receiving the Service to Alma Mater Award is a tremendous honor, but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing work that we have ahead of us. Our commitment to volunteerism and community service must remain steadfast not just as individuals, but as a collective force for good.”

Head of School Katie Titus joined the celebration for fellowship and recognition of Eric and Keith’s service, congratulating them on the honor bestowed by their peers. “You are among the long list of MB alumni who are living our mission as graduates,” remarked Katie. “We are grateful to you for representing Moses Brown so well both here in our backyard and around the globe.”  

 

Meet the Awardees
 

Outstanding Young Alum Awardee

The Outstanding Young Alumnus/a Award honors a recent alumnus for outstanding accomplishments and service in his or her professional, personal, or civic life. His or her achievements inspire young alumni.ae and bring honor to Moses Brown.

Eric Cioè Peña ’01

Eric, M.D. M.P.H. is the founder and current Vice President of the Center for Global Health of Northwell Health and the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He is an associate professor of Emergency Medicine. He is also the ACEP lead ambassador to El Salvador. He is a graduate of SUNY Downstate Emergency Medicine Residency program and the Columbia University International Emergency Medicine Fellowship. He has worked extensively in Ecuador, Guyana, India, Botswana, Dominican Republic, and El Salvador on health systems development projects, trauma care and humanitarian assistance. He has a Masters in Public Health and Humanitarian Assistance from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and received his doctorate of medicine with concentration in Global Health from the University of Pennsylvania.

Eric is leading the global initiatives at Northwell and Hofstra with specific focus in stakeholder-led projects centered on access to global mental health, global surgery, utilization of technology to close health-equity gaps globally as well as to mitigate the effects of climate change on global health. Dr. Cioè Peña was redeployed in 2020 and 2021 with Northwell at a 108-bed COVID alternate care facility in conjunction with the State of New York as the Medical Director where he directed the care of over 1,000 COVID patients. Dr. Cioè Peña is the past president of the Global Emergency Medicine Academy of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine and is also the past president of the Global Emergency Medicine fellowship consortium. He served on the Public Health and Injury Prevention committee and is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Eric has met and been recognized for his work in Global Health by Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, Minister of Health Frank Anthony in Guyana and most recently President Zelenskyy of Ukraine.

 

 

Karin Morse ’79 Service to Alma Mater Award

The Karin Morse ’79 Service to Alma Mater Award recognizes an alum for outstanding service to Moses Brown School. This person’s voluntary contributions have been long term, extend beyond the work of most volunteers, and speak to MB’s proud tradition of service to community.

Keith Monchik ’90, P ’24, ’28

Keith is a well-known and respected orthopedic surgeon with OrthoRI.

He earned his M.D. from Ross University, where he earned the distinguished academic scholar award and was valedictorian.  Keith completed his residency and surgical training and trauma fellowship at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital where he won the house staff excellence award and the public service award. 

He is also currently an Assistant Clinical Professor in Brown's Warren Alpert Medical School and serves as a team physician for Johnson & Wales University, and several schools in the R.I. Interscholastic League including Moses Brown football. Keith also sits on the Rhode Island Interscholastic League's Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.  

He has been/was a member of the R.I. Disaster Medical Assistance Team for 17 years and been a part of many federal disaster responses, including to the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York City and the Haitian earthquake. 

This summer, Keith was very helpful as the School made arrangements for coverage while Joyce Freeman, trainer is out on leave.

Keith is a present Trustee and Keith’s children Nathan ’24 and Emeline ’28 have attended Moses Brown since lower school.

Alumni Volunteer

Event Host 2010, 2011
MBAA Board 2007-2015, Clerk 2012-2015
HOS Search 2008
Reunion Class Agent 2005, 2010, 2015

Boards and Committees

Enrollment & Marketing 2014-present
Nominating 2012-2015
Campaign Steering 2014
Former Trustee 2012-2015

Present Trustee, Enrollment & Marketing

 

Moses Brown School invites the community to the first of two opportunities to remember and honor the life and legacy of King B. "Doc" Odell—a Memorial Meeting for Worship on Saturday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the Providence Meeting House (99 Morris Avenue, Providence, RI). A celebration of Doc's life and legacy will take place during Reunion 2024, May 17-18, 2024.

________

King B. "Doc" Odell, Jr. , a highly respected and revered member of the Moses Brown School community, passed away on September 26, 2023. Doc was a teacher, advisor, mentor, coach, colleague, friend and confidant to thousands of students, faculty, staff and parents alike. Doc’s influence on the school and its students was immeasurable, and while his loss will be deeply felt by the entire community, his long and influential tenure has left a lasting legacy.

Doc was best known for his high standards and relentless expectations as a teacher of French, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Latin, and as track coach extraordinaire. He came to Moses Brown in 1953, initially teaching geography in the middle school. He served as the chair of the world language department for four decades, lived in the dorms for 20 years and was head of the boarding department for 16 years. With all of these accomplishments and contributions, Doc was most proud of having been Interim Upper School Head in 1995-1996.  

Doc was the faculty advisor to various clubs and organizations, including the French Club, Debate Club, Broadcasting Club, Flying Club, House Council, Radio Club, Spanish Club, Italian Club, Young Republicans Club, and the yearbook, The Mosaic. For over 30 years, Doc also led much-sought-after student trips to England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Morocco and his favorite - Italy.  More recently Doc was the Moses Brown School Archivist and in 2022, the room he thought should be named the Moses Brown Room, became the Dr. King B. Odell, Jr. Archives and Reading Room.

Doc’s dedication to teaching and his expertise in languages were recognized by the Rhode Island Foreign Language Association, which named him Teacher of the Year in 2000. In 1990, the American Association of Teachers of French honored him with the Excellence in Teaching French Award, highlighting his exceptional contributions to the field of education.

In addition to his role as a teacher, Doc began his coaching career at Moses Brown as middle school tennis coach, then quickly became a highly successful track and field coach, leading the Moses Brown teams to numerous victories and championships. He served as the head winter track coach from 1964 to 1997 and the head varsity coach of cross-country and spring track from 1964 to 2004. Under his leadership, the teams achieved three Rhode Island Interscholastic League Winter Championships, 22 New England Prep School Track Association Winter Championships, eight New England Cross-Country Championships, 14 spring New England Track Championships, three victories at the Peddie School Relays, and a second-place finish at the Prep School Mile Relay of America at the Penn Relays. For six years, Doc served as head of the New England Prep School Track Association, creating divisions which remain to this day. It comes as no surprise that in 2000, Doc was inducted into the MBAA Hall of Fame.

Doc’s commitment to excellence in both teaching and coaching was self-evident and students rose to his high expectations, (often to avoid his acerbic wit). In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the school, the Moses Brown Community named the outdoor track the Doc Odell Track in 2005. This honor was a testament to his dedication and ability to motivate athletes, whether in the mile, the 100-yard dash, or the hurdles. In recognition of his exceptional contributions Doc was honored with the Frank Lanning Award by Words Unlimited, the statewide organization of sports writers, sportscasters, and sports publicists, at its 60th annual Sports Banquet in February 2006.

Doc’s educational achievements were not limited to his time at Moses Brown. After graduating from Aldrich High School in Warwick, RI, he earned an A.B. from Suffolk University, an A.M. from Brown University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. As a Fulbright scholar, he conducted research and taught at the Universities of Grenoble, Perugia, and Valencia, building on his expertise in languages and education.

During his 33 years in the U.S. Air Force and R.I. Air National Guard, Doc had assignments in both Intelligence and Personnel while rising to Lieutenant Colonel.

Doc’s entrepreneurial spirit was kindled as a paperboy in the Lakewood section of Warwick and as he spent summers on Block Island, he became a prominent businessman there. He began as the manager of the Narragansett Hotel in New Harbor which he managed for decades.  He was the long-time owner of King’s Spa, a building that then became The Water Street Inn, the Empire Theater, and the Sky King Snack Bar at the Block Island Airport. As the 20 or so Moses Brown students he employed each summer could report, he also owned the Western Union franchise for the island for many years.  Doc was also President of Star Resorts, with interests in ski operations on Okemo Mountain in Vermont.  

Doc’s passion for teaching and coaching, dedication to his students and the Moses Brown Community by shaping the lives of others has left a lasting legacy for future generations.

 

For community members who are so inclined to share a sentiment or memory with Doc's family or our community, we encourage you to do so here.