Alumni Weekend 2024

Alumni Weekend 2024 will be held on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 and will feature activities for all alumni and reunions for the classes ending in 4 and 9. Alumni Weekend kicks off on Friday with the Dinner Among Friends and Alumni Association Awards. Saturday’s program includes Meeting for Worship, Lunch and Learn, Student-Guided Tours, an All-Alumni Reception at Van Meter Hall, and more! Contact the Development Office to get involved in your class reunion plans.

Alumni Weekend 2024 Schedule

Friday, May 3

6 p.m. The Dinner Among Friends and Alumni Awards Program, Dining Hall Commons. Meet classmates, applaud the 2024 Alumni Association Award recipients, and honor retiring faculty. $25 per person. See those who will be celebrated below. 

Saturday, May 4

11:30 a.m. Meeting for Worship, Meeting House

12:15 p.m. Lunch and Learn, Dining Hall Commons. A free, special lunch program for alumni and their families to experience several interactive activities hosted by faculty, staff, and student presenters.

1:15 p.m. Alumni Association Meeting and Welcome from Julia de la Torre, Dining Hall Commons. Meet our Head of School and hear about what’s happening at MFS. 

1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Student-Guided Tours depart from Stokes Hall Lobby.

2:45 p.m. Former Faculty and Staff Gathering. Stokes Hall Lobby. Hosted by Lynne Brick, Mary Ann Griffis, and Judy van Tijn.

3 p.m. Alumni of Color Meet-Up, Baiada Field House Commons. Join Chanelle Rivers Walker ’01, Director of Diversity, Community & Belonging, and School Committee member Kennette Banks ’02, for an opportunity to connect with current students from Upper School affinity groups and fellow alumni of color.

4 p.m. All-Alumni Reception with Head of School Julia de la Torre, Van Meter Hall & Back Lawn. At this gathering for all alumni, enjoy wine, soft drinks and hors d’oeuvres and connect with alumni, classmates, and long-serving and former faculty members, including Mike Brunswick, Tina Corsey, Deb Galler, Mary Ann Griffis, Drew Newman, Clark Thomson, Judy van Tijn, and more. Class Reunion photos will be taken, activities for children will be available hosted by student volunteers, and MFS apparel will be on sale. 

6 p.m. Reunion Gatherings, off campus.

2024 Alumni Association Awards – Come to the Dinner Among Friends on Friday, May 3 at 6 p.m. to celebrate the 2024 Award Winners and the retirements of Gail Barna and Danielle Dayton.

Alice Stokes Paul 1901 Merit Award – Nathaniel R. Evans III, M.D., FACS, FCCP, ’94

Nate is being recognized for his skills and achievements as a thoracic surgeon, his commitment to training the next generation of surgeons and physicians, and for a career that models critical thinking, empathy, and respecting the importance of every individual in a community. A key figure at Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, Nate is Professor of Surgery; Director, Division of Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery; Chief of Cancer Services, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Center City; and Associate Director for Surgical Services, Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute.

The Alumni Association Service Award will be presented this year to alumni parents who have distinguished themselves in their commitment to Moorestown Friends School and have enhanced the quality of life in the MFS community.

Ira Stark and Laurie Hodian are a shining example of alumni parents who have maintained their dedication, affection, and commitment to the school long after their children Alex ’06 and Justin ’10 graduated. For more than 30 years, they have made MFS their top philanthropic priority as well as served in a multitude of volunteer roles. A former School Committee member, Laurie is still frequently on campus in support of theatre productions as part of the costuming crew.

Paul Lloyd continues to play an important volunteer role at MFS as an alumni parent. Paul has served on the Assets Committee of the School Committee since 2010, and has offered important guidance on the numerous topics the committee addresses, including the school’s operating budget, tuition, investments, audit, insurance, and more. Paul and his son, Chris ’05, continue to provide philanthropic leadership for the school by supporting the Annual Fund and investing in the success of the school’s capital campaigns.

Young Alumni Award – Alicia Gurrieri ’09

Alicia is a Donor Organizing Field Manager with the Movement Voter Project (MVP), which has deep roots in statewide organizing ecosystems and is dedicated to helping move money and resources to support local grassroots groups across the country. Alicia leads MVP’s efforts to grow a robust network of volunteer organizing and fundraising teams. She has held prior roles with the National Women’s Law Center and the League of Women Voters. She is deeply committed to investing in grassroots power for sustainable change. Her goal is to “use community engagement to further gender justice through policy change.”

Retirement – Danielle Dayton, Director of Athletics

For nearly 20 years, Danielle has shaped the MFS athletics program and has left an indelible mark on hundreds of student-athletes and families. Danielle is never one to measure success only by wins and losses, but it is impossible to ignore the successes enjoyed by our teams and student-athletes throughout her tenure, which were aided by the support of Danielle and her staff. This includes: NJSIAA state team championships in Girls’ Tennis, Boys’ Fencing, and Girls’ Soccer; NJSIAA sectional team championships in those sports along with Boys’ Soccer and Boys’ Tennis; and Friends Schools League championships in Golf, Baseball, Boys’ Soccer, Girls’ Tennis, and Field Hockey. Danielle served as Varsity Field Hockey Coach from 2005-2020, and finished with a career record of 130-91-11. Her teams captured Friends Schools League championships in 2007 and 2019.

Retirement – Gail Barna, Computer Science Teacher

For 26 years, Gail has provided expert computer science and technology instruction, mentorship, and guidance to students. Countless MFS students have benefited from Gail’s tireless efforts, and so many hold particularly fond memories of the Intensive Learning experiences that Gail designed during her tenure. Her impactful guidance to encourage girls to explore futures in technology has been recognized as the school has received the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award from the College Board three times in five years. She also served as the Upper School Service Coordinator, working with the Upper School Service Committee on numerous outreach and student fundraising initiatives.