"First Thursday" Oct. 3: "Celebrate our Story"

10/1/2013

Ever wondered what the Dwight School looked like, 'before the boys'? Reflected on what a typical day was like for Englewood School for Boys (ESB) students in the '6o's? Or maybe you have wondered about the environment at D-E after the "merger" in 1973 ...

Catch a glimpse into our School's past, as alumni memorably reflect on D-E's rich history, how things have changed, and our School's more timeless traditions.

Our D-E First Thursday Event is Thursday, October 3, in Hajjar Auditorium, at 7:00 p.m. Come hear alumni guest speakers from the 40,'s, 60's, and 70's "celebrate our story"!

Participating alumni guest speakers include:

Joan Van Alstyne Johnson '44 (Alumna, Dwight School)
Joan Van Alstyne Johnson has been a resident of Englewood her entire life, with a family history in this community that goes back to the turn of the century. Her mother, Janet Graham Van Alstyne, was born in Englewood and was raised in Graham House, graduating from the Dwight School in 1916. Her aunt, Susan Graham, was a graduate of the Class of 1921, and her Uncle, George Graham, was part of the Englewood School for Boys (ESB) Class of 1926. Her sisters, Keats '48 and Ellen '55, also enjoyed a Dwight education. Four of Joan's children Dwight, ESB, or Dwight-Englewood: Keats '70; Kate '72; Kimball '74; and Edward Jr. (Sam) '81, as did many of her nieces and nephews.

Joan has been an education advocate and life-long volunteer. Her mother and father started a home school that developed into The Elisabeth Morrow School (EMS). Joan was an alumna, a teacher, a parent and an active trustee of EMS for 52 years. She also spent 12 years on the Board of Directors of the Dwight School before the two schools merged to become Dwight-Englewood.

In Englewood Joan has been an active volunteer in the broadest range of community service for more than 50 years; social work, education, charities and political activities. She is past president of the Women’s Club of Englewood and she is currently Chairman of its Conservation and Outreach Committees. Starting in her teens as an Englewood Hospital candy striper, Joan has been a lead volunteer for organizations including Memorial House, predecessor to the Social Service Federation; the Leonard Johnson Day Nursery (known today as the Bergen County Family Center); the Flat Rock Brook Nature Center; the Community Chest of Englewood; and the Garden Club, among others. Joan also became involved in founding the Bergen County Anorexia Group, which became a national organization.

Joan has raised six children and has 10 grandchildren, in six different states coast to coast.

Armand Pohan ’60 (Alumnus, Englewood School for Boys)
Armand Pohan '60 (Alumnus, ESB) attended the Englewood School for Boys (ESB) and graduated in 1960 as class valedictorian, was awarded the Headmaster’s medal and honored as a member of the Cum Laude Society. He was the editor of the school newspaper and yearbook as well. After leaving the school, he went on to Harvard College and then Harvard Law School, followed by Julliard School of Music. He has an illustrious and expansive career in law, and is currently Chairman of the Board of NY Waterway; Romulus Development Corp.; Dry Dock Restaurant Corp.; A-P-A Truck Leasing Corp.; A-P-A Transport Corp.; and A-P-A Insurance Services Corp.

Armand is also a Trustee Emeriti of Dwight-Englewood, having served as a Trustee and past Board President; he has been an elected Councilman in Fort Lee, and his list of corporate board memberships is long. He spends his spare time enjoying music and is an accomplished classical pianist.

Susan Devine-Lempert ‘74 (Alumna, Dwight-Englewood School)
Susan Devine-Lempert '74 was a graduate of D-E's first co-ed class. She received her B.A. from Wesleyan University, where she graduated magna cum laude as an English/Theatre major. After college she worked in a small fashion public relations firm while pursuing an acting career in New York. She then worked for several New York modeling agencies that specialized in fashion shows and live presentations while taking on small roles in soap operas, commercials and films on the side.

In 1989, Susan was given the opportunity to head Ford Models Runway Division. She worked with many supermodels of the 90's such as Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Elle McPherson and Vendala booking them as well as other Ford models for fashion shows. She travelled to the couture shows in Paris and Milan and worked with many high profile designer clients. After 9 years at Ford, she moved to Elite Models where she has worked for 15 years still concentrating on jobs with major New York and international designers including Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Jason Wu, Marc Jacobs, and Armani.

In addition to these guest speakers, Lower School Principal Peter Davies, who has been with Dwight-Englewood for more than 30 years, will be facilitating the conversation and sharing archival photos.

Don't miss out! Viist www.d-e125.org to read more details on all upcoming D-E First Thursday events, view our historical D-E Timeline, and more!

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"First Thursday" Oct. 3: "Celebrate our Story"