Rich in talent, diverse in background,
the class of 2001 is more than...
Ready for the Challenges Ahead
Commencement address by
Principal Ty Tingley '48 '64 '01 (Hon.); P'99

Saying "farewell" to the class of 2001 is an especially difficult task for me. My wife, Marcia, and I arrived at Exeter along with the class of 2001. We have joked a number of times this year that we are four-year seniors. And more than any other Exeter class to which I have bid farewell, I have a sense of sharing an experience with you that is quite special. Part of this derives from our having shared the same helpless sense of being new in the fall of 1997, when the 13th principal and about half this class arrived in Exeter. I hope when you arrived you didn't sense just how new I felt. I did all that I could to cover that up. But under the surface I was as nervous as you and on just as fast a learning curve.

The sun shines brightly on the class of 2001 at graduation exercises on June 10. Principal Ty Tingley congratulates Shou-Chin Christine You.

Learning to Speak Exonian
Let me give you an example: four-year seniors, do you remember the opening assembly of school in 1997? This was my first Exeter assembly and I spoke about building a boat with my grandfather. The Assembly Hall was charged with good feeling that day, as it always is at the opening assembly, and I enjoyed a standing ovation. After a while people retook their seats, and it was time to adjourn the assembly and begin the school year. Confident now, since the speech had gone well, I thanked everyone and said that the assembly was dismissed. And everyone just sat there looking at me. No one had told me that there is a magic phrase at Exeter-the words "senior class"-that is the signal that ends the assembly. Politely, I tried to tell everyone that the show was over and that they could all go. Still the audience sat rooted in place.

Starting to panic, I turned to Jack Herney, the dean of faculty, and whispered, "Jack, how do I make them leave?"

"Senior class!" he said.

"Yes, Jack," I replied. "I can see the senior class. They're sitting right in front of me and they won't move an inch. How do I make them leave?"

"Say, 'Senior class,' " he said.

And thus I did, and the seniors got up to leave, and the Exonian didn't even notice that the new principal hadn't a clue how to end the assembly. And like the members of the class of 2001, I was learning to speak Exonian.

Principal Ty Tingley presents Marissa Lowman with her diploma while Stephanie Tang and Allison Lukas watch.

Such memories give me great fondness for this class, a fondness shared by all those who have taught them and been with them in this community. This is an exceptional group of women and men who have achieved remarkable success in their time at Phillips Exeter Academy. They have given us spectacular music and art, a polished Exonian and a Pean rich in memories. When there have been moments that have called for leadership-the Westboro Baptist Church visit last fall, or the senior class gift this spring-they have succeeded with remarkable poise. They have left us with great memories in the classroom and great memories on the athletic fields, including some exceptional victories over Andover. They have expanded our understanding of the world through great meditations, dance performances and recitals. And they have been good friends, to each other and to younger students, and to all of us on the faculty who look forward to these friendships maturing and becoming conversations that will last a lifetime.

And now, in just a few moments, you will be graduates of Phillips Exeter Academy. That achievement is something of which you can truly be proud, for you have worked hard to earn the parchment I am about to give you. As I sat in my office last week, signing these diplomas, I had reason to think about each of you. Since I joined this school with your class four years ago, I've known a number of you for quite a while, and I wondered about your futures.

Rob Cioffi adjusts his tie with help from Ned Frederick.

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