Distinguished Alumni Awards

Zachary Baylin, Class of 1998

Zachary Baylin is an Academy Award, BAFTA, and WGA-nominated screenwriter best known for penning the script for KING RICHARD, the Warner Bros. film starring Will Smith, profiling the early life of Venus and Serena Williams.

A 1998 graduate, Zach attended Tatnall since Kindergarten. An accomplished student, he received the Student-Athlete Award, was the captain of 3 sports, and participated in myriad other activities, including Showcase, The Musicals, Concert Choir, and The Newspaper. He was also the Field Day Swords Captain for a legendary and victorious 1990 Lower School team. He studied Film and Creative Writing at Johns Hopkins University, where he was a two-time Academic All-American receiver on the football team and still holds many records.

After graduating, Zach moved to New York City, where he worked as a production assistant, prop and set dresser for films and television, including "Dave Chappelle's Block Party," "Jack Goes Boating," "Top Five," "Boardwalk Empire," and "Gossip Girl."

Zach currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and producing partner, Katherine Susman, and their two children, Mavis and Marlow. His family's legacy runs deep at Tatnall. His brother Ben is a 1996 graduate and his mother, Sarah Baylin, was an English Teacher and beloved Head of Upper School from 1998-2018.

J. Scott Beale, Class of 1994

Scott Beale is the Head of Global Operations for the Peace Corps, appointed by President Biden, where he manages a team of 2,000 people in 64 countries supporting over 7,000 Volunteers. Before joining the Peace Corps, Scott served as the Founder and CEO of Atlas Corps, a leadership development program for the world’s best social change professionals. Sometimes called a “reverse Peace Corps,” Atlas Corps brings leaders from around the world to serve in the United States. Over 15 years, Atlas Corps supported more than 1,000 leaders from 100 countries who have served at many of the world’s best organizations in cities across the U.S. Scott was named one of the Top 50 Nonprofit CEOs in the U.S. by the Nonprofit Times in 2016 and 2017.

Scott has a BA from Georgetown University and an MPA from the University of Delaware. Prior to launching Atlas Corps, Scott worked in the White House, at Ashoka and with the U.S. Department of State. He also served in Bosnia as an international volunteer in 1996 and then as a core supervisor for OSCE organizing the first ever municipal elections in Mostar. He worked with Rock the Vote over the years and helped numerous students successfully run for elected office. In 2003, Scott wrote the first book on the politics of the Millennial Generation (Millennial Manifesto, 2003). He is an alum of the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program and an Adjunct Professor of Leadership at Georgetown University and the University of Virginia.

Scott is a proud Tatnall alum, where his sister (Anne Beale '90) also graduated and his mother (Mary Anne Beale) taught for over 30 years.

The award was not given this year.

Timothy Huang, Class of 1993

A New York based composer/lyricist/librettist and teaching artist whose works include the one-person musical The View From Here, the song cycle LINES, Peter and the Wave, Missing Karma, and Koi Story. His work has been produced or taught in New York City, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Taipei and at such universities as Brown, MIT, and Harvard. His full length musical American Morning was recently produced at Prospect Theater Company in New York, and as part of the Village Theater’s Festival of New Musicals in Seattle, as well as the ASCAP Musical Theater Workshop moderated by Stephen Schwartz, and the BMI Master Class hosted by Stephen Sondheim. It was also the winner of the B-Side New American Musical Award, and Richard Rodgers Awards, making its author the first and only Asian American to win the latter as a triple-threat composer/lyricist/librettist. Timothy is also the recipient of the 2012 Jerry Harrington Award for Creative Achievement, a nominee for the Weston Playhouse’s New Musical Award, a two-time Jonathan Larson Grant finalist and Fred Ebb Award finalist. Some of his songs have been recorded by Sutton Foster, Telly Leung, and Crazy Rich Asians star, Constance Wu. Timothy has served on the Dramatist Guild Council, is a Tony Awards voter and holds a BFA in Drama and an MFA in Musical Theater Writing from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

Blair C. Dickerson '72

A 1972 Tatnall grad, and an alumnus of Dartmouth College, Blair Clark Dickerson was the first African American to graduate from The Tatnall School. At Dartmouth, Blair discovered public service. He volunteered as a tutor with A Better Chance program, worked as a houseparent for young adults who needed physical and cognitive support and organized lay support for hospice services.

After Dartmouth College, Blair worked in successful sales positions with Xerox Corp., the Financial Services Division of Chemical Bank, and the Fabrics Division of W. L. Gore & Associates.

In 1994 Blair entered the University of Minnesota Law School, where he earned Dean's List honors and Highest Honors in international studies while on exchange at Uppsala University in Sweden. He also served twice as Law Council Vice President, worked with the Minnesota Justice Foundation, and a Black Law Students Association initiative for a tutorial program for first-year students.

Blair most enjoyed serving the public as an Investigator with the Delaware Department of Labor's Office of Anti-Discrimination and as an Investigator with the Department of State's Division of Human Relations. In 2004 Blair applied to Wilmington College to study for a Masters in Public Administration and was asked to teach Administrative Law and Compensation Administration as an adjunct in the school's business graduate program. Blair has served on Tatnall's Alumni Council twice and once on its Board of Trustees.

Mary Lu Currin Pamm '78

Mary Lu Currin Pamm was a “lifer” at Tatnall, starting when she was in first grade. After graduating from UVM with a BS in Special Education, she taught for several years before settling down with her husband Roland, in Wilmington, to raise their two sons, Chris ’06 and Rob ’08. She served many years as Grade Parent, Division Rep, and proud mom as her sons moved through Tatnall.

It was at this time that Mary Lu began to establish herself as a penultimate Tatnall volunteer, serving on Tatnall committees, fundraising efforts, and educational endeavors. She has also participated on the Alumni Council since 1996, serving as President in 2004, and was awarded the Lucille Sala Meharg Alumni Service Award in 1999.

She is a consistent supporter of the Annual Fund’s Founder’s Society, chairing the fund both as a parent and as an alumna for several years. She served on the Board of Trustees for nine years and made significant contributions to the Program, Marketing, and Development Committees as well as the Head of School searches.

In addition, she has been a generous donor whose giving history goes back almost 35 years.  Mary Lu has served the Wilmington Community as well in several organizations including membership and service at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Erik A. Warner '93

A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Erik Warner is the co-founder and a lead principal in Eagle Point Hotel Partners (“EPHP”). This hotel real estate platform was created in 2011 to invest in high-value transactions in the hotel sector. Since the founding of his company, he has placed over $680 million of equity in almost 20 investments that range from the ground up development of iconic hotels in New York City to off-the-grid wellbeing and educational retreats in Maui, to upscale motels in Jackson Hole, WY, and Napa, CA.

With his hotel management company, Filament, Erik has redefined modern hospitality. Filament hotels are intricately woven into the culture and community of the places in which they exist and enhance guest experiences by making meaningful connections to them. Filament’s growing portfolio includes 10 hotels located in destinations throughout the US. Erik’s hotels have been recognized in worldwide publications including Afar, Architectural Digest, and the New York Times, and have received a number of awards, including the Conde Nast Hot List, Surface Magazine, and Hospitality Design.

Erik is the first President and current VP of the NYC Chapter of Tatnall Alumni. In 2011, he received the Lucille Sala Meharg Alumni Service Award.

Caroline Brown Lintner ’83

Caroline Brown Lintner has been a committed member of the Tatnall community since 1977, when she enrolled at the school as a seventh-grade student. Caroline, who was named captain and most valuable player of the field hockey and basketball teams, thrived athletically and won the Senior Athlete Award. Caroline was also the recipient of the Triangle Pin—Tatnall’s highest award—in 1983.

Following graduation, Caroline went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and, later, her MBA from Georgetown University. After living in San Francisco for 15 years, Caroline and her family moved back to Delaware so that her daughters, Alexandra ’15 and Beatrice ’17, could be closer to her roots.

Since her return in 2002, Caroline has been increasingly involved at Tatnall. She has been a member of the Alumni Council since 2003, previously serving as both vice president and president, and has worked as a class agent and chair of Tatnall’s 75th Anniversary Committee. In 2006, she received the Alumni Service Award and also became a member of Tatnall’s Board of Trustees, eventually serving as board chair from 2014 to 2017.

During her tenure as board chair, Caroline made significant contributions to Tatnall’s Head of School searches and the Strategic Plan. In addition, Caroline is a member of the Red Oak Legacy Society and has generously supported countless school projects and initiatives.

David H. Williams, Class of 1968

David H. Williams is the Managing Partner of Morris James. He has more than 35 years of experience in the areas of employment law and education law, representing private and public employers, 15 school districts, a college and a private school.

Dave represents employers in a wide variety of litigation matters, administrative proceedings, arbitration and collective bargaining issues, as well as counsels and represents educational institutions in the full spectrum of legal issue.

Honors for Dave include: Best Lawyers®, 2015 "Lawyer of the Year" for Labor Law, Delaware Today® "Top Lawyers," 2014, Best Lawyers®, 2007-2017, Chambers USA, Recognized for Labor and Employment, 2004-2016, Delaware Super Lawyers®, 2007-2010, 2012-2013, Lawdragon 500, National Finalist, 2010, Delaware Volunteer Legal Services Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2009 Martindale-Hubbell,AV rating.

Graduating from Gettysburg College in 1972, Dave received his J. D. from Dickinson School of Law in 1975, the same year he was admitted to the Delaware Bar. Dave has two children who are also alumni of Tatnall – Abigail Williams Schneider ’97 and Michael D. Williams ’00.

Caroline Gibbons Tatnall Ketcham, Class of 1958

Six years ago, Caroline Tatnall Ketcham, the granddaughter of Tatnall founder Frances D.S. Tatnall, expressed a sincere interest in being more involved with her grandmother’s school. Since then, Caroline has dedicated herself to Tatnall’s committees, fundraising efforts and educational endeavors.

Caroline began her service by acting as a Class Agent for the Tatnall Class of 1958. She went on to serve as a non-board member on the Program Committee of our Board of Trustees, before becoming a full-fledged board member, who is now serving in her fourth year. Caroline is also a generous donor whose giving history goes back more than 25 years. In addition to contributing to the Fund for Tatnall and The Alumni Scholarship Fund, she is a member of the Red Oak Legacy Society and has created a fund that supports values-based education studies and projects. Additionally, in 2014, Caroline received Tatnall’s Alumni Service Award for her unwavering dedication to volunteer service, The Tatnall School and its students.

Lawrence J. Lincoln, Class of 1964

In 1984, Lawrence Lincoln's career focused on infectious disease medicine took a turn after attending Elisabeth Kubler-Ross' "Life, Death and Transition Workshop," where he experienced a different kind of healing. The workshops helped the dying express their grief and provided a safe place for those who have lost loved ones. Lincoln began training with Kubler-Ross and was eventually asked to lead her workshops in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Lincoln also created a program for caregivers titled "Growth and Transition." This program continues to be sponsored by Tuscan Medical Center and is going into its 30th year. In 1991, Tuscan Medical Center invited Lincoln to become the first medical director for its hospice. Retired from his infectious diseases practice in 2012, Larry continues his role with hospice.

Terry A. Plank, Class of 1981

Terry Plank is a geochemist whose research focuses on volcanoes. Specifically, Plank studies what occurs when tectonic plates collide, forcing one under the other at a subduction zone. In 2012, Plank was the recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship Award or "genius grant." In 2013, she was elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences, an organization that honors outstanding achievement in the physical, biological and social sciences. Plank is also a distinguished author with publications in the Journal of Geophysical Research and Nature Geoscience.

David L. Preston, Class of 1972

David Preston has spent most of the last three decades as an award-winning reporter, columnist and editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, where he is currently assistant city editor. He has been senior editor at CNN.com in Atlanta, and a reporter at the Kansas City Star and the Wilmington News Journal. Preston also reported throughout the Middle East for the Universal Press Syndicate during the Iranian Revolution in 1979. Preston's work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal and many other publications.

Anne Landon Allen, Class of 1941

Anne Allen was instrumental in founding The Tatnall School Alumni Association and served as the association's first president. During her term, Allen helped create the summer pool program for alumni families. She also served two non-consecutive terms on the Board of Trustees. During her first term, she was involved in the selection and approval of the school's current location when Tatnall was moved from 1500 Rodney Street to Barley Mill Road in 1952.

Thomas M. Huang, Class of 1990

In 2007, architect Thomas Huang was named a "Searchlight Artist," or an emerging artist to watch by the American Craft Council. His work has been exhibited nationally and has been included in several juried exhibitions. While working in the San Francisco and Oakland design communities, Huang was involved in creating work for a diverse group of clients, including Disney Imagineering, Sun Microsystems, Wolfgang Puck and Sony Entertainment.

Tara-Ellen Keefe, Class of 1979

A gifted artist who works primarily with painting oils, Tara-Ellen Keefe's paintings include landscapes, figures, still lifes and portraits. Keefe has been a competition winner in American Artist Drawing magazine and a finalist in The Artist's Magazine Art Competition.

Peter H. Flint, Jr., Class of 1987

Composer Peter Flint is the founder of Avian Music, a contemporary music ensemble based in New York City. The goal of the ensemble is to provide emerging composers with an opportunity to perform with more established composers as they build bridges between audiences, performers and various musical styles and media. Flint has also written music for numerous theatrical productions in the mid-Atlantic region, including, "As You Like It," "Twelfth Night" and "Macbeth."

Nancy Lynch Steele, Class of 1963

Nancy Lynch Steele is the author of "Vietnam Mailbag: Voices from the War," a book that revisits the letters she received from soldiers during her four-year assignment as a columnist for the Wilmington Morning News. The column was recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and is unlike any other column of its kind from the period, making the 900 letters she received one of the largest collections of primary source material from the war.

Mollie Lynch Vardell, Class of 1973

Architect and artist Mollie Lynch Vardell has worked in commercial architectural design for more than 30 years. Vardell is a founding partner of Lyrix Design Inc., a company focused on the design and management of office and specialty spaces for corporate and institutional clients. Her work with Lyrix earned her a spot on the "Top 25 Women in Business" list in 2003. Vardell has also played an important role in the educational design community.

The award was not given this year.

Sgt. 1st Class James Shawn Moudy, Class of 1987

Sgt. 1st Class James "Shawn" Moudy is the sole recipient of the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award. Sgt. Moudy, aged 37, was killed in Iraq on December 11, 2005, when the Humvee he was driving was struck by a roadside bomb south of Baghdad. A career soldier, he joined the Army in 1988, after attending the Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama. Sgt. Moudy was also awarded the NATO Medal for Service while serving in Bosnia.

James E. Graham, Class of 1977

Graham has traveled the world capturing images in places as exotic as Belize, and as familiar as Tatnall's Beekley Building, during his career as a photojournalist and photographer. A former staff photographer for The News Journal, Graham's work has been seen in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, Sports Illustrated and Newsweek. Graham's many awards include a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize.

Mary Curtis Meacham, Class of 1962

For more than twenty years, Meacham has been a leader in the field of mental health and has been instrumental in shaping public policy. In June 2003, Meacham received the Howard Safer Award from the New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, which recognizes exemplary contributions to the advancement of community health services in New York state. Meacham is currently assistant vice president at a five-hospital health delivery system in Buffalo, New York.

Dr. Maureen I. McCarthy, Class of 1980

McCarthy is the director of Research and Development for the Homeland Security Department. She has worked with the department since the passing of the Homeland Security Act, when she joined the White House Transition Team responsible for organizing the science and technology program. As chief scientist for the National Nuclear Agency, McCarthy.

Anne M. Brooking, Class of 1977

Now a teacher and coach at Wilmington Friends, Anne Brooking has enjoyed a career marked by much success. Throughout the 1980s, Brooking, played field hockey and lacrosse on a number of teams, including the 1982 World Champion United States Lacrosse Team. That same year, Brooking was named the University of Delaware's Outstanding Senior Athlete, as well as the university's Outstanding Student Teacher. She has also been inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum Hall of Fame (1995), the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame (1997) and the Delaware Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame (2000).

Arthur E. Chadwick, Class of 1981

The owner of a successful orchid business, Chadwick, along with his parents, Anne and Art. Sr., founded Chadwick & Sons Orchids, Inc., in 1989. Since founding the business, Chadwick has gained an international reputation for his expertise. In 1995, he presented First Lady Hillary Clinton with an orchid he developed and named for her. He has since named orchids for a number of the First Ladies.

Cynthia A. Hewitt, Class of 1969

In 1976, Cynthia Hewitt joined the Wilmington office of Merrill Lynch during a time when there were few female finance professionals. R.J. Shook, a noted financial writer, named Hewitt one of the top 40 female financial advisors in the county. A pioneer in the financial world, she has led the way for many women. Hewitt is a founding member of The Fund for Women in Delaware. Founded in the early 1990s, the organization worked to recruit 1,000 female founders who contributed $1,000 to set up an endowment to address the critical needs of women and young girls in the state.

David F. Lyons, Sr., Class of 1978

The recipient of the Service Award, the Wooden Spoon and the Triangle Pin at graduation, Lyons was also presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003. Lyons founded Lyons Insurance Agency, Inc., in 1984, and has remained active in the Tatnall community throughout the years as trustee, president of the Alumni Council and tennis coach.

Feffie Barnhill, Class of 1971

Barnhill, whose love of sports began at The Tatnall School, has led an accomplished career playing and coaching field hockey. In 1983, Barnhill was named a certified master coach by the U.S. Field Hockey Association and has coached several Olympic development camps, as well as world champion teams. Currently head coach of the Scotland National Lacrosse Team, Barnhill commutes to Scotland for work seven times throughout the year.

Wayne D. Kimmel, Class of 1988

A graduate of the University of Maryland and Widener University School of Law, Kimmel is managing director of the Eastern Technology Fund, an organization that provides early stage capital to technology companies. In 2000, PhillyTech magazine featured Kimmel in its annual "30 Under 30" issue, which profiles upcoming professionals in the technology industry. He was also recognized as one of the region's emerging leaders by the Philadelphia Business Journal in its "40 Under 40" list.

Jonathan P. Adler, Class of 1984

Johnathan Adler is a successful business owner and gifted artist. Today, Adler's popular line of dinnerware, lighting fixtures, giftware, bath accessories, textiles and furniture can be found in stores throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and Brazil.

Margaret H. Marshall, Class of 1963

"I would say that my year spent at Tatnall was a life-changing event," says Margaret Marshall, an American Field Service student from 1962 through 1963. When Marshall returned to her native South Africa, she became an outspoken opponent of her country's apartheid system. After coming back to the U.S. and graduating from Yale Law School, Marshall started a law practice and was eventually named vice president and general counsel of Harvard University. She was also appointed associate justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, as well as chief justice. Marshall is only the second woman to serve on the Court in its 300-year history and is its first female chief justice.

Dr. Miriam "Mim" Nelson, Class of 1978

Dr. Nelson is a pioneer in women's health and nutrition. Nelson is currently the director of the Center for Physical Fitness and associate professor of Nutrition at Tufts University. Additionally, Nelson is the author of a number of best sellers including, "Strong Women Stay Young," and "Strong Women Eat Well," and has hosted her own PBS special titled "Strong Women Live Well."

Sara T. Garrison, Class of 1963

As co-writer and producer of  the retrospective book,  “A Widening Horizon: Seven Decades of The Tatnall School," Sara Garrison worked tirelessly for more than a year to pull together this amazing volume that chronicles Tatnall’s history through priceless pictures and text.

Lucille Sala Meharg, Class of 1950

An Alumni Council member since 1966, and an active participant in school events, Lucille Meharg was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for her ongoing service to Tatnall. Meharg was also the winner of the Tatnall Alumni Service Award in 1982.

Margaret L. Meharg, Class of 1981

Margaret Meharg was recognized for her achievements as a successful field hockey player and coach. Currently, Meharg is the University of Maryland’s winningest coach with over 188 victories. Meharg has won a number of awards, including: Two NCAA National Champion Awards (’93, ’99); three ACC Champion Awards (’93,’98, ’99); three NCAA Division Coach of the Year Awards (’91, ’95, ’98); and six Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year Awards.

R. Thorpe Moeckel, Class of 1971

R. Thorpe Moeckel received the Distinguished Alumni Award for his service to Tatnall and dedication to the local community. Within the Tatnall community, Moeckel served as a trustee for 14 years and was the president of the Alumni Council. Locally, Moeckel also took on a number of leadership roles and was involved in significant fundraising projects. These roles include director positions with the Committee 100, the Rotary Club of Wilmington and Bayard House.

Amy K. Porter, Class of 1982

Amy Porter has enjoyed a wide and varied career as a concerto soloist, recitalist and flutist. In addition to her numerous national and international awards, Porter was also the recipient of the Deuxieme Prix at the 2001 Paris/Ville d' Avray International Flue Competition, as well as the Alphonse Leduc Prize for Outstanding Musicianship.

Timothy P. Russo, Class of 1989

Timothy Russo was named an award recipient for his work among the indigenous peoples of Chiapas, the southernmost and poorest state in Mexico. In addition to working as a correspondent and photographer for national and international news outlets, Russo has been recognized for his major role in setting up the Chiapas Independent Media Center and its website.

Joseph M. Schell, Class of 1964

Joseph Schell has made significant contributions in the world of investment banking and finance. In only 14 years, after joining NationsBank/Montgomery Securities in 1985, Schell expanded the investment banking division from 17 professionals and $22 million in revenue, to 300 professionals and more than $470 million in revenue. Schell was also honored for his service to Tatnall's development efforts and work as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Xavier A. Teixido, Class of 1971

Xavier Teixido has led an extremely successful career as a chef and restaurateur. After working at a number of legendary eating establishments across the country, Teixido returned to Delaware where he, along with Davis Sezna, founded the 1492 Hospitality Group, where he opened Harry's Savoy Grill, Kid Shellen's, the Granery and the updated Columbus Inn. Teixido has also been involved in a number of community efforts, such as bringing the Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation annual fundraiser to Delaware.