Alumni Awards
Nominations
The Tatnall School Alumni Council is currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Alumni Awards listed below.
Please let us know who you think deserves an award this year.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is to be awarded to an alumnus who has distinguished themselves in their profession, in other achievements, and/or exemplary service to The Tatnall School.
The Lucille Sala Meharg '50 Alumni Service Award was established in 1978 to annually honor an alumnus who has given outstanding service to The Tatnall School and the community at large.
The Alumni Association Faculty Award is presented by the Alumni Council to a current or past faculty member who exemplifies the spirit of Tatnall in their career, has shown a steadfast dedication to the school and its students, and has developed a respect from the Tatnall students, faculty, administration, parents, and alumni. The nominee must have been a full-time employee of Tatnall for at least five years.
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Nominations are open to the entire alumni community. We strongly encourage those nominating to include as much information as needed to provide context, color, and clarity to support their nominee.
Please submit your nomination by completing this online form so the Alumni Council may review and consider it at their May meeting. The deadline for nominations is May 1.
Nomination criteria vary slightly depending on the award, but may include:
- Name and graduation year of the alumnus/a you are nominating.
- Reason for the nomination.
- Describe in detail the achievement/service/impact of the nominee.
- Describe any related awards this individual has received.
- Select three words that best describe the individual.
- Provide any other pertinent information in support of this individual's candidacy.
- Nominator name and graduation year.
- Nominator contact information (phone/email).
Please do not hesitate to contact the Alumni Office with any questions at [email protected] or (302) 892-4335.
Dr. Ari D. Abel '89
The Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Ari "Tim" Abel is one of only 500 Oculofacial Plastic Surgeons in the U.S. and is highly regarded as "the go-to for facial plastic and reconstructive surgery." His skill, professionalism, and bedside manner have earned him repeated "Top Doc" honors among his peers and patients. 
A 1989 graduate, "Tim" was a lifer, joining Tatnall in Pre-K. He was class president, a member of the cum laude society, and a three-season athlete, captaining both the wrestling and cross-country teams. He credits his Tatnall education as a critical contributor to his academic and professional success.
After graduating from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Neuroscience, Dr. Abel received his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He completed his residency at Johns Hopkins University, followed by a two-year fellowship in Ophthalmic and Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Abel founded The Abel Center for Oculofacial Plastic Surgery and Abel Aesthetics in Wilmington, DE. He serves on the clinical faculty of Christiana Hospital and has mentored numerous students pursuing degrees in medicine.
Perhaps more meaningful to him than his professional success, Dr. Abel has been one of Tatnall's most ardent supporters. He is an active alumnus and parent, serving on numerous committees, assisting with fundraising efforts, and generously donating to Tatnall's Annual Fund.
He and his wife Valerie are regulars at Tatnall events, supporting their two daughters, Chloe '25 and Scarlett '26, and every other student, artist, and athlete that calls Tatnall home.
James A. Magee '89
The Lucille Sala Meharg '50 Alumni Service Award
James "Jamie" Magee joined the Alumni Council in 2010, his first foray into the Tatnall volunteer life. After that, he must have been quite smitten with the school, for he enrolled his daughter Lauren, who graduated in 2020. Jamie served as President of the Alumni Council from 2018 until 2023 and as a member of the Board of Trustees from 2019 to 2021. He was a staunch advocate for an
alumni directory, helped recruit alumni for our Ask Me Anything series during COVID-19, and started the initial meetings of faculty, facilities, and students to increase sustainability efforts around campus. Though he is no longer our fearless leader of the Alumni Council, he remains a loyal association member. He can be found at nearly every alumni-related event we can ever imagine hosting. In fact, he has never WON this award to date because he recused himself from candidacy while he held the position of President. As you can see, we jumped at the first chance to honor him as soon as he stepped down.
As a student at Tatnall, Jamie was involved all over campus. He played lacrosse and wrestled, acted in Showcase, and, according to our extensive research pouring through yearbooks, was a member of something called "Fire Patrol" with Dr. Peter Bookman, which had an inordinately large membership looking quite pleased with themselves in the 1989 Yearbook.
Jamie is often among the first people to extend a warm welcome at a Tatnall event and fill in new members on the inner workings of the Alumni Council. He has been one of Tatnall's most trusted and valuable volunteers for over a decade and is always willing to go wherever he is most needed. Tatnall is stronger because of Jamie's loyalty and service.