"Welcome Alumni!"  The weekend of Friday, June 3 through Sunday, June 5 marks a series of celebratory Alumni Reunion events on the D-E campus.  Highlights of the weekend include a 25th anniversary Jazz Rock Jam event; a special Leggett Hall classroom dedication honoring Frimi Sagan, who is retiring from D-E after serving with the D-E English Department faculty for an incredible 43 years;  and ceremonies recognizing the School's 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award winners and new inductees into the D-E Athletic Hall of Fame. A Hudson River boat cruise around Manhattan is planned for alumni enjoying their 50th Reunion, and additonal private ceremonies for D-E alumni celebrating special milestone reunion years are also planned throughout the weekend.

Friday's 25th Reunion Jazz Rock Jam will be led by long-time Music Department faculty member Robert DeBellis, and will feature a lineup of past Jazz Rock ensemble members singing a variety of rock classics and popular hits ranging from "I Love Rock & Roll" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" to "Preacher Man" and "We Are Family".   The Jam takes place under the "big tent" on Leggett Field and promises to be a great time.

At 11:30 on Saturday, June 4, a ceremonial event is planned for Frimi Sagan, who has taught literally thousands of students during her exceptional teaching career with Dwight-Englewood School from 1968 through 2011.  The reception will take place in the School's Hulst House and will  then be followed by the Leggett Hall "Sagan Classroom" room dedication.  All alumni who have been inspired and advised by Mrs. Sagan are welcome to come and share their fondest memories.

Robert M. Bakish D-E '81, President and CEO of Viacom International Media Networks, is the first of two recipients this year for the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award.  Bakish is also serving as the School's Keynote Speaker for the 2011 Commencement on Sunday, June 5.  The Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 1997 to pay special tribute to alumni of the Dwight School, the Englewood School for Boys, and the Dwight-Englewood School. The award is presented for exemplary professional and/or volunteer accomplishments. It honors alumni whose achievements deserve special recognition by the school and by fellow graduates.

Karl R. Zimmermann ESB '61 is also slated to be honored with the School's Distinguished Alumni Award. A noted writer and photographer, Zimmermann has published more than 20 books including CZ: The Story of the California Zephyr, 20th Century Limited, Little Trains to Faraway Places and many others. His love of trains has resulted in hundreds of stories in travel sections across the country including the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.  Beyond his writing and photography, Zimmermann served as an English teacher, Dean of Students, Upper School Head and Director of Development at Dwight-Englewood School. He also was Assistant Headmaster at Lake Forest Academy and Director of Development at the Masters School.

A graduate of the Englewood School for Boys Class of 1961, Zimmermann was President of both his class and the Student Council, a member of the Cum Laude Society and recipient of the Head Boy Medal while at ESB. He holds an A.B. from Princeton University (’65) and a M.A. from New York University (’68). Karl and his wife, Laurel, reside in Oradell, NJ. The Zimmermanns have two daughters, Emily and Jenn and one grandchild, Lily.

Two members of the D-E alumni community will also be recognized at Saturday's Reunion. The Athletic Hall of Fame 2011 Inductees are Susan Brisk Sharp Dwight '71 and Robert Brisk '76. The Dwight-Englewood School Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1996 to honor those individuals who have achieved a high level of success during their careers as student athletes and coaches, or have made significant contributions to the school’s athletic program. Its purpose is to perpetuate the memory of those who have brought distinction and excellence to the Dwight School, the Englewood School for Boys, and the Dwight-Englewood School.

Susan Brisk Sharp received eight Varsity Letters in three sports during her career at the Dwight School. A letter-winner in Field Hockey, Basketball and Lacrosse, Brisk was named MVP for Lacrosse in both her junior and senior years and MVP for Field Hockey and Basketball in her senior year. As a senior, she also captained all three teams. She was the President of the Athletic Association and a recipient of the Sue Boling Award in 1970 and the Jeanne Phelps Award in 1971.  Upon graduation from Dwight, Brisk matriculated at Baldwin Wallace College where she lettered in Field Hockey. She graduated from Baldwin Wallace in 1975. She and her husband, Robert, reside in Maine and are the proud parents of Kate and Jenny.

Robert D. Brisk ’76 was awarded ten Varsity Letters over the course of his athletic career at Dwight-Englewood School. These letters were earned in Football, Basketball and Baseball. The 1973 and 1975 football teams of which he was a member were Champions of MAAPS. He also was elected Captain of Varsity Baseball in 1975 and 1976. Brisk was recognized for his athletic accomplishments at Dwight-Englewood as the recipient of the Masters Trophy in 1972, the Foote Memorial Trophy in 1975 and the Eastwood Memorial Scholarship in 1976.  After graduation from Princeton University, Brisk returned to his alma mater in Englewood, and over the course of his career as an educator at D-E, he also served as a coach of basketball, football and baseball. He also was Principal of the Upper School from 1987 to 1999. He is now Head of School at the Wellington School in Ohio. He and his wife, Monica Mahoney, reside in Wellington, OH and are the parents of William and Benjamin.

The celebratory Alumni Reunion weekend concludes with the 2011 Commencement ceremony, at which 107 seniors will receive their Dwight-Englewood School diplomas.  The graduation takes place at 10:00 a.m. on Leggett Field, and a special reception will take place immediately afterwards for all the graduates, their family, and friends.

Click here for more information about the 2011 D-E Alumni Reunion.