Joe Zanghi ’54 is a GC grad who started this project many years ago and just saw the last trees planted.
Click here to read more.
Cherry Blossoms
April 22, 2013
Alumni Voices A Hummer's View, Girard College Alumni Association Leave a comment
Rare footage of Girard College Cadets – 1955
March 2, 2013
Alumni Voices, The Students A Hummer's View, Girard College Alumni Association 3 Comments
Girard College Cadets – 1955
Girard College Founder’s Day – 1955
Questions from GC alumni
February 8, 2013
Alumni Voices A Hummer's View, Board of City Trusts, Chicetawn, Clay Armbrister, Fran Manley, Girard College, Girard College Alumni Association, Girard College Federation of Teachers, Joe Martz, Ronald Donatucci, 6 Comments
We receive phone calls and emails from Girard alumni frequently. The recent post we put up titled “Stakeholder’s Summary” contains many of the questions we’re asked, and unfortunately, unable to answer.
The Board of City Trusts operates in its own vacuum. They release statements telling everyone how transparent they plan to be, yet continue to stonewall those who ask what they consider to be private matters. Public agencies ,we feel, have very little that should be kept from public review.
In this era of instant communications,there is no reason the ongoing business affairs of the BOCT can’t be made public. Their monthly meetings and annual reports should all be published on a website available to the public.
The public, especially the Girard College and Wills Eye Hospital stakeholders, have every right to know the trusts for the college and hospital are receiving the fiduciary oversight they are legally deserve.
When a corpus such as the Girard Estates is reduced nearly 50%, stakeholder’s have a right to know that the managers responsible have been replaced. What investment counselors have been changed by the Estate? Have any been changed? Why hasn’t the Estate manager’s heels been held to the fire?
The financial problems facing Girard College have been well publicized. The only people who have paid a price for the financial mismanagement, however, have been the employees of the school and, most importantly, the students and prospective students. The student population is about 400 now, compared to 750 just a few years ago. That fact alone should shame the BOCT to take action. Protecting and educating children, not a political hack’s job is the primary function of the Board!!
So, my friend, ask your questions. Just don’t expect much of a response.
Stakeholder Summary
February 8, 2013
Alumni Voices, Board of City Trust, Family Concerns A Hummer's View, Board of City Trusts, BOCT, Clay Armbrister, Girard College, Girard College Alumni Association, Girard Estate, Joe Martz, Ronald Donatucci, Leave a comment
A Hummer’s View – I thought of you when I read this. I, being very much an outsider, I live outside of Boston and have not been very active in the alumni, have a couple of questions. If you know who best to address them to, I will.
How much did the trust invest in derivatives, such as interest swaps? How much are they worth now or how much were they worth when they were sold? Essentially how much did the trust lose?
Who was responsible for those investments? And is that person still managing investments for the trust.
I would like to see a an expanded list of the portfolio “investments” in 2008. 2009. 2010, 2011, and 2012.
How many people are employed by the trust? Part time? Full time? salaries? Job descriptions?
Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year
Hail Stephen Girard
Delco Chapter Girard Alumni Feb News Letter
February 8, 2013
Alumni Voices A Hummer's View, Girard College, Girard College Alumni Association 2 Comments
Girard College Alumni Delaware County Chapter
February News Letter
Attended by; Erv Antoni, Len Casterline, George Ciervo, Bill Cubit, Tom DiFilippo, Bob& Marie Furphy, Stan Glowaski, Tom McGovern, Jim McKendrick, AndyMelinchuck, Gene Ruggere, Tom Yocom, Lew Rinko, Dillard Jordan, Wes Dunning and Leonard “Smokey” Daddona.
The Delaware County Chapter of the Girard College meeting Feb. 1, 2013 was a great success. 16 people were in attendance. The newcomers were Wes Dunning, Lew Rinko and Len Casterline.
We started with Turkey noodle soup and the entrée was Pot Roast, salad, and ending with Pie. The usual beverages were served.
Every meeting Bob Furphy complains that he wants to know when he is going to get Lobster. To his surprise he and Bill Cubit were both presented with a Lobster.
The Icing on the cake was a tape taken at the Florida Chapters Millennium Cruise in 1998. With all the members getting onstage and under the direction of Bob “Gleason” Furphy we sang our Alma Mater Song, Hail Girard. We were a fantastic success.
Lew Rinko wrote a book that is a must for all. Everything he wrote about happened to every one of us. If you want a copy call Tom Yocom it is a worthy cause.
Len Casterline made a wrong turn and ended up in Smokeys driveway. To his surprise it was the day of our meeting.
Gene Ruggere showed us photos of the damage done to his home at the shore due to Hurricane Sandy. We hope he will be well compensated.
Breeze Breathwaite could not make the meeting because someone wants to buy his house….and demolish it. We can all depend on his decision.
Tom DiFillippo did not have much to say, maybe he has morning sickness and we should buy him some Lidia Pinkham pills.
McKendrick and Melencheck were at least 10’ away from me and my hearing range is only6’. Sorry I missed your conversations.
Dillard Jordan was busy making everyone comfortable. Thanks for your help.
I(Smokey) had the honor of drinking a Manhattan with Stan Glowacki.
We still can’t get over the accomplishments of Erv Antoni. I am happy to be his friend.
Last but not least my classmates that are dear to my heart, Ciervo, McGovern and Breathweighte. I love and respect the man with a passion.
In conclusion it is a privilege to be a part of this rare organization. And I will do my best to continue.
And with the help of Tom Yocom who is also one who makes this all possible and my Son Leonard who does all the work, and I get all the credit.
I’m a lucky Man
Smokey Daddona
Invitation to the Community
December 5, 2012
Alumni Voices, And the staff say..., Board of City Trust A Hummer's View, Bernard Smalley, Board of City Trusts, BOCT, Clay Armbrister, Girard College, Girard College Alumni Association, Girard Estate, Ronald Donatucci, 1 Comment
Dear Friend of Girard:
As you may be aware, in recent months the leaders of Girard College have made clear that the school faces a series of significant financial and operational challenges. While the Board of City Trusts has reiterated its commitment to keep Girard open and operating at its historic North Philadelphia campus, it is also true that difficult decisions must be made in the coming months to ensure Girard’s long-term future.
The Board has authorized a comprehensive review of the challenges that confront the institution, and it has promised that it will strive to keep the entire Girard family informed about the review process and its recommendations for Girard’s future. As part of this commitment, we will host a public meeting for all Girard stakeholders, to be held on December 13, 2012, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Lower School auditorium on Girard’s west end campus. We anticipate that representatives from the Girard Estate and the Board of City Trusts will attend, together with members of the Girard College Board of Managers and Girard President Clarence D. Armbrister.
Because of your continuing relationship with Girard, we cordially invite you to attend this meeting, which will include an overview of the current situation and a discussion about potential options to ensure Girard’s long-term future.
Please email your RSVP to this invitation at attend@girardcollege.edu. We look forward to having you with us at the meeting on December 13th.
Sincerely,
Bernard W. Smalley Sr., Esquire
Board of City Trusts
Chairman, Girard College Committee
Clarence D. Armbrister, President
Girard College
Peter Shoemaker ’60, Chairman
Girard College Board of Managers
Letter from Directors of City Trust
November 13, 2012
Board of City Trust A Hummer's View, Board of City Trusts, BOCT, Clarence Armbrister, Clay Armbrister, Girard College, Girard College Alumni Association, Girard Estate, Ron Donatucci, Ronald Donatucci, 9 Comments
Letter from Directors of City Trust
A letter from Ronald Donatucci
Article by Martha Woodall in philly.com regarding the letter – click here to read
And We Thought Leaders Assumed Responsibility – How Silly of Us
July 24, 2012
Board of City Trust, Family Concerns A Hummer's View, Autumn Graves, Bernard Smalley, Board of City Trusts, BOCT, Clay Armbrister, Fran Manley, Girard College Alumni Association, Girard Estate, Girardcollege.edu, Joe Martz, Ronald Donatucci, 5 Comments
When we received this from a contributor, we thought someone was playing games with us; surely someone leaving a post of leadership would understand what leadership involved. In the case of our past president AG, however, apparently that’s not the case.
“Free at last”? Please, we understood that you were paid in excess of $200,000 a year and Girard provided free housing for your use. Are you trying to tell us that you were held in servitude against your will? We were also told that you applied for the position and in doing so claimed it was the fulfillment of a lifetime dream. Was that not true either? We were also told that you felt in spite of your limited credentials, your skill set would enable you to raise needed funds for Girard that would allay the financial problems the school was experiencing. We guess that too was misstated.
In any case Autumn, it appears your departure from Girard pleases everyone, including yourself. We’re not going to continue on about all the reasons we’re happy to see you go. Let’s just say that we hope your next position is better suited to your qualifications.
Ahummersview welcomes the change in Girard’s leadership
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President Obama reads a Hummer’s letter
June 21, 2012
Alumni Voices, Family Concerns, The Students A Hummer's View, Board of City Trusts, Clay Armbrister, Girard College Alumni Association, Girard Estate, Girardcollege.edu, Ronald Donatucci, Leave a comment
A Philly Teen’s Letter About Life in a Violent City Is Hand-Delivered to President Obama
Four people in 18-year-old Edgar Pagan’s life had been shot to death on the streets of Philadelphia by the time he graduated high school last week. While reflecting on his time at Girard College—a 1-12 boarding school for kids with high grades who come from families with low bank accounts—Pagan realized he wanted to write his thoughts on his life and these deaths and the wheel of fortune, the roulette wheel really, that separated them. He just wasn’t sure where to share those thoughts.
Read more: http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/news-and-opinion/159617395.html#ixzz1yR0QQ2yF
New President Announced
June 8, 2012
Board of City Trust, Public View of Stephen Girard, What about the Media? A Hummer's View, Autumn Adkins, Autumn Graves, Autumn Joy Adkins, Bernard Smalley, Board of City Trusts, BOCT, Chicetawn, Clarence Armbrister, Clay Armbrister, Fran Manley, Girard College, Girard College Alumni Association, Girard College Federation of Teachers, Girard Estate, Girardcollege.edu, Joe Martz, Michael Nutter, Ron Donatucci, Ronald Donatucci, 5 Comments
The Philadedphia Tribune in today’s issue of June 8th included the following announcement of the appointment of Girard’s new interim president, Mr. Clarence Armbrister.
From what we read of Mr. Armbrister, he appears to be eminently qualified for the position. Strong leadership is needed at Girard during these trying times and we hope he has the courage to utilize his skills for the benefit of the school and the students.
Following is the article from the Philadelphia Tribune
Clarence D. “Clay” Armbrister, former senior vice president and chief of staff of The Johns Hopkins University, Mayor Michael Nutter’s chief of staff and executive vice president and chief operating officer of Temple University, has been appointed president of Girard College.
Meet the new President of Girard College
http://www.phillytrib.com/newsarticles/item/4394-former-nutter-staffer-to-head-girard-college.html
