Volunteers of the Year: Brian Borgerson '79 and Kathy Stone

At a reception in the Hopkins Library on Saturday afternoon of Homecoming Day, Brian Borgerson, Class of 1979 and Kathy Stone, parent of two Hopkins students, were named Volunteers of the Year. The library was full of family and friends of the two honorees as well as alums and parents who turned out to support these two incredible people.

In the recognition ceremony Trustee, former parent and alumna Judy Smith-Morgan '79 introduced Brian Borgerson as a committed member of the Alumni/ae Association and dedicated member of the local community. She thanked him for his years of tireless service to the Alumni/ae Association Golf Tournament. (Read Judy's introduction of Brian below.) Judy announced that in honor of Brian, George Washington’s America: A Biography through Maps, by Barnet Schecter would be donated in his name to the Hopkins Library.

Following Brian's acceptance, former Trustee and parent Mary Hoffman introduced her friend Kathy Stone, and recognized her many hours volunteered for Hopkins, through her work with the Parent Council, and as a dedicated parent and friend to the School. (Read Mary's introduction of Kathy below.) Mary announced that in Kathy's honor, The Book of Exploration, by Ray Howgego would be donated to the Library in her name.

Congratulations and many thanks to Brian Borgerson '79 and Kathy Stone P '10 '12, for all they have done for Hopkins!

Judy Smith Morgan '79 introduces of Brian Borgerson '79
Mary Hoffman introduces Kathy Stone


Judy Smith Morgan '79 introduces of Brian Borgerson '79

38 years ago in 1973, Brian came to “the Hill” as an incoming 7th grader. While at Hopkins, Brian was on the Varsity Swimming team for 4 years. He worked on the Year Book staff his junior and senior years. He also worked on the Lighting Crews for the theater productions.

Brian was a member of the Maroon Key club which was the beginning of his career of service to Hopkins. Brian graduated in 1979 and headed up to UConn’s School of Business where he received his accounting degree. Shortly after graduating from UConn in 1983, Brian became re-united with Hopkins by participating in the Annual Phonathons.
 
For over 25 years, he volunteered to call his classmates asking for their support of the Annual Fund. Brian served as our class agent as well as serving on several reunion committees. In 2004, Brian became a member of the Alumni/ae Association Board of Directors, serving as the Treasurer since 2008. (The “treasurer” theme is a common one)


From my perspective, Brian’s most valuable contribution to Hopkins has been his involvement with the Alumni Golf Tournament. The golf tournament generates approximately $45K per year for scholarship at Hopkins. Brian serves on the golf committee with Ernie Williams, Cindy Deluca Gagnon and myself.

At times, especially close to the tournament date in May, the activities associated with the golf tournament, get hectic, frenzied and at times chaotic. Brian is the steady, solid and calm influence that keeps us on track and keeps us focused.

He meticulously counts in flows and expenses, tracking the figures diligently which allows the golf committee to provide an accurate accounting of the event, much to Barbara Monahan’s pleasure!

Brian’s commitment of time and energy to the scholarship golf tournament is evident by his almost daily trips to the Dev. Office to input credit card payments and fill out deposit tickets ALL during his busy tax season.

I know the continued success of the golf tournament as assured as long as Brian continues in his leadership capacity.

Brian’s volunteering activities are  not limited to Hopkins. He impacts the broader community by his memberships in the following organizations:

The City Missionary Association
The Branford Rotary
The Conn. Society of certified public accountants.
Brian served as Treasurer for 15 years for the 1st Church of Christ in Woodbridge
He is currently his 3rd year as – you guessed it- the Treasurer of the Quinnipiac Club in New Haven.

Brian, is there any organization for which you haven’t served as Treasurer??

Brian is a self-proclaimed  “Back Office Guy.” Well, that may be true, but this afternoon, you have to step out of the back office and into the limelight and accept our gratitude. Until today, you have been the unsung hero. Your receiving this honor is most appropriate and I applaud the Development Office for their selection. You keep your nose to the grindstone, plug away tirelessly at your work, never complaining, always willing to help. Today, you are rightfully being honored for your dedication and service to Hopkins.

This institution is survived and thrived during its 350 years because people like Brian, unselfishly give of themselves for the betterment of the school. Your spirit of volunteerism and the pride you have for Hopkins, have had a positive and permanent impact, and for that we thank you!

Now it’s time to come out of the back office and come up here and receive your award.
 

Mary Hoffman introduces Kathy Stone

Kathy, right this minute the light shines on you! There is no way for you to deflect this moment. Today, your family and dear friends are here to celebrate all you have done over the past 6 years, for Hopkins School. Your assignment for the next 2 minutes is to sit still, smile and relish all of the attention and accolades coming your way. You have earned every second of this recognition.

Katherine Dorsey Stone does not know how to say no. Whatever the task, Kathy steps up and says yes. Yes to 5 years of helping out with the Faculty Appreciation luncheon. Yes to organizing the Faculty Breakfast that kicks off each new school year. Yes to co-chairing Celebrate Hopkins twice. Yes to chairing this years Hopkins Wine and Pizza Night. And yes to being Hopkins Parent Council President. Saying yes is simplifying what Kathy actually does.

Please indulge me as I illuminate what yes means to Kathy.

For the Faculty Appreciation Luncheon Kathy takes orders from other Mom’s, me being one of, and personally roasts over 20 pounds of filet. Kathy knows that the mighty men of Maintenance love a good filet.

For the Back to School Faculty Breakfast Kathy always prepares homemade coffee cakes and quiches, enough to feed the entire Hopkins faculty and staff. That is a lot of coffee cakes and quiches!  

For this years “Autumn View From The Hill” the annual non-fundraising wine and pizza event, Kathy was determined to try something new, something that would save money. Kathy really wanted to experiment with an e-vite, therefore no expense with printing or postage. I can proudly report on Kathy’s behalf, the responses are fantastic and the expenses are zero!

When Kathy and Georgia Newcomb co-chaired their first Celebrate Hopkins, it was the spring of 2009; Kathy and Georgia were determined to co-chair a blockbuster evening.  Kathy and Georgia were magnificently protective of every dollar spent and every dollar donated.  The evening was an enormous success. The economy was tanking, however, the education our kids were receiving at Hopkins was exponentially growing in value.  Smart is always valuable.

Kathy co-chaired her second Celebrate Hopkins with Caroline Daifotais. The Celebrate Hopkins 2010 event, recognized and celebrated the 350th anniversary of Hopkins. Celebrate Hopkins 2010 will be remembered as the most successful Celebrate in Hopkins history. Kathy and Caroline oversaw an evening with the most money ever raised, while thoughtfully and carefully managing the expenses.  Once again, our economy might have been fragile, however, a Hopkins education remained a solid investment.

Kathy’s legacy of volunteering dates back to when her son Brandon, Hopkins class of 2010 started nursery school. Kathy’s youngest son Andrew will be graduating Hopkins this June. Kathy, what are you going to do next?

When Kathy is not volunteering, she is busy taking care of everyone and everything around her.  Kathy’s husband Ken is a busy Anesthesiologist who admits he is spoiled by Kathy’s cooking and baking.  Kathy’s passions, aside from her family and friends, include all things culinary, reading, her movie club, Broadway shows, the Red Sox and her dogs.  

To know Kathy well, is to be on the phone with her while she is experimenting with a painstaking recipe.  And then…suddenly… when her back is turned, one or both of her dogs have managed to make their way to the food, and with one giant gulp, Ken’s dinner is gone! Then, without any apologies, Kathy will let out a roar that can be heard all the way to Boston!

Kathy you are a wonderful friend and sister.  Lots of your non-Hopkins friends are here today, along with your sister Anne. Thanks to all of you for supporting everything Kathy has done at Hopkins, especially attending Celebrate Hopkins, I know how happy Kathy was to have you there.

Kathy you are the consummate volunteer. You do whatever is needed and then you ask, “What else is there to do”? Whether the job is lovely, like giving a speech, or annoying like spray-painting picture frames outdoors on a windy day, you handle the task with a smile, as well as providing homemade baked goods at every opportunity!

Personally, our days spent together at the Parent Council office have been some of my favorite Hopkins memories. Kathy you give so much to those around you, and today I am delighted to be part of this well-earned recognition.  

On behalf of Hopkins, I thank you for your commitment, loyalty, generosity and leadership.

Congratulations to Kathy!