Calendar & News

On October 1, the Gunn community continued a proud tradition begun by school founders Frederick and Abigail Gunn in 1861, when they led 30 boys and a dozen girls on a 42-mile walk from Washington to Milford, Connecticut, where they camped for 10 days. School Walk, held each year on a date close to Mr. Gunn's birthday, October 4, commemorates this historic event. This year, in honor of our 175th year as a school, and in the spirit of Mr. and Mrs. Gunn, Highlanders everywhere were encouraged to walk or hike, plant a flower, ride a bike, or simply take time to appreciate the outdoors and the power of connecting with nature.
 

Wallace H. Rowe III H’57 P’77 ’79, a beloved member of the faculty from 1956 to 1979, passed away on September 21, 2024, in New Hampshire. “Wally” taught English, served as English Department Chair, coached wrestling, football, and JV tennis, and served as a house parent and advisor. Through his passion, warmth, and characteristic good humor, he had an enormous influence on many of his students. Four decades later, the school continues to honor him through The Wallace H. Rowe III Chair in Critical Expression established in his name, and the Perakos Family Cares Art Gallery, dedicated by Thomas Perakos ’69 and the Class of 1969 in celebration of their 50th reunion.
 

William Russ Elgin, who served for three decades as Senior Master and as a faithful and dedicated faculty member for 39 years, passed away on July 2, 2024, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, according to his sister, Lynn Brown-Quick. Known to his students as “Señor Elgin,” Russ had a deep passion for the Spanish language and culture, and he dedicated himself to inspiring others to become lifelong learners. 
 

The Frederick Gunn School has named Benjamin Kang of Middletown, Delaware, a distinguished educator with experience in shaping inclusive school communities as the new Dean of Belonging and Inclusion.