The Gunston School’s 9th Bull & Oyster Roast was a resounding success, welcoming more than 200 guests this past Saturday, October 19 to the school’s waterfront campus. Attendees enjoyed a festive atmosphere with delicious food, drinks, and entertainment, while rallying together to support the school’s mission. In total, the event raised a record $170,000, making this year’s event the most successful in its history and one  that will leave a lasting impact on the students and faculty, furthering Gunston’s mission and environmental initiatives.

“This event and its success is a direct result of the hard work and support of more than 30 parent volunteers,” remarked Event Chair Valerie Overton, P’24’27. “Additionally, 52 sponsors raised more than enough funds to underwrite the event, making sure all of the evening’s proceeds went directly to programming.”

The evening featured a highly anticipated live auction led by Bryan Trautman, P’23’27 with extraordinary items, including a 7-day vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a one-week stay in Montego Bay, Jamaica, a Paul Reed Smith Guitar–SE Zach Myers edition, a catered cocktail cruise for eight, 10 VIP tickets to Gunston’s 2025 Graduation, and a VIP parking space for the 2025-2026 school year. The online silent auction, which ran from October 13-20, gave the broader Gunston community the opportunity to bid on a variety of items.

“We invest in our kids’ education because we believe that a great education will set our kids up for life,” said Isabel Hardesty, a member of Gunston’s Board of Trustees and the Executive Director of Shore Rivers as she addressed the crowd. “In my career, I review hundreds of applications and I can tell you, the things that I look for, you can get at Gunston. I look for candidates who are driven and have high standards. Students get that here. I look for experiential learning and real-world experiences and, again, students get that here. You don’t get these kinds of opportunities at other schools. The rigorous academics, experiential learning, access to the water and environment, this idyllic setting, and an overall ethos of preparing good citizens (not just good students!)—all of this sets Gunston apart and prepares our children to be able to navigate the world, find meaningful work, and give back to their community.”

The “Stop the Auction and Raise the Paddle” portion of the evening was a highlight, raising an impressive $66,000 to support Gunston’s environmental teaching and learning programs. The funds will enhance the Chesapeake Watershed Semester and Chesapeake Bay Studies programs and help develop the school’s new 40-acre waterfront property, with trails, educational spaces, and resources for field trips like a new van, kayaks, and kayak trailer. The event also contributed to the Environmental Scholars Fund, ensuring all students can participate in these vital programs. Each dollar raised through the silent and live auctions as well as the “Raise the Paddle” will be matched by a generous grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation.

Items sold in both the live and silent auction were also eligible for the match. “Our goal was to be able to match at least $60,000 of the grant,” explained Head of School John Lewis. “And thanks to the outpouring of generosity of the Gunston community, we went well beyond that goal and matched all $100,000, meaning every dollar raised now has double the impact.”

The event had 52 sponsors. This year’s Heron Heroes include Waterfront Sponsor Fred Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Easton (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25), Middleton Sponsors Horace K. Wood, DMD Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (Leigh & Dr. Horace Wood, P’24’27), Joyce & Associates, LLC (Christine & Kevin Joyce, P’26), and Easton Dermatology Associates, LLC (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27).

Everdell Sponsors McCallister, Detar, Showalter & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27), Paul Ewing’s Contractor Supply (Pam & Charlie Andrews, P’26), and “Friends of Gunston.” Corsica Sponsors include PepUp (The McMahan Family, P’27’28), Ebb Tide Tent & Party Rentals and The Dreeke Family, P’28. Green & White Team Sponsors include Wye Mills Mechanical, LLC, Dr. Laurie & John Lewis, and the Shifrin Family, P’21’21.

This year’s Bull & Oyster Roast sponsors include Oyster Sponsor Precision Contracts (Lesley & Tim Faff, P’23’26), BBQ Sponsors ShoreGate Partners (Chesley & Justin Nonemaker, P’27),  What’s Up? Media, Faithful Accounting & Consulting, Inc. (Edward & Heather Bennett, P’27), Whiting Turner, and Wye Gardens (Will Gordon, P’28).

Pearl Sponsors include Shore United Bank (The Augustus Family, P’26’28), Collette & Stephen Figliozzi, P’26, and Delaware Podiatric Medicine (Dr. Jacob & Rebecca Hanlon, P’22’25’27). Pit Beef Sponsors include Island Creek Events (Katharine Greenlee Henning ’07), Smithey Law Group (Joyce Smithey, P’26), Emily’s Produce, Chesapeake Yacht & Property Management, LLC (The Overton Family, P’24’27), Mr. Glenn Michael, Kent School, The Malone Family, P’28, Steve & Catherine MacGlashan ’88, P’23’25’26, Gretchen Wichlinski, P’28 with Compass Real Estate, Vance & Gina Morris, P’25’26, and DataLink Interactive.

Half Shell Sponsors Mark & Diane Freestate, P’98, The Johnston Family, P’23’25’28, Avon-Dixon, an Alera Group Agency, LLC, The Simmons Family, P’14’22, The Baer Family, P’28, and The Parkhurst Family ’88, P’18’21’23 and our Shore Sponsors are Fit Flock, The Hartman Family, P’27, Friel Lumber Company, Reliable Pest Control, Wrench & Socket (Beth & Tim Lavery ’26), The Steinberg Family, P’25, The Walker Family, P’21’25, The Caron Family, P’17, The Elfenbein Family, P’25, Ildi & Mory Watkins, P’26’28, and Palmer Properties, LLC (Michele & Barrie Palmer, P’26), Mrs. Ilona Varga, GP’26’28, and The Algier Family, P’23’26. A special thank you to Drapers of Centreville for their in-kind donation and event support.

Photos by dKin Photography

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Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

On Tuesday, October 8, The Gunston School cut the ribbon on “Sollers Field,” its newest Bermuda grass playing field, dedicating it to the memory of Emilie Middleton Durham and Carter Middleton Bond, granddaughters of the school’s original founders, Mary and Sam Middleton. In attendance to cut the ribbon were several descendents of the sisters, including Wick Sollers, son of Carter Bond, and Norm Durham, son of Emille Durham.

In 2022 & 2023, Mr. Sollers worked very closely with Gunston to help them acquire the 40 acres of land adjacent to the campus from the estate of his late mother, increasing the campus size from 40 acres to 75 acres. Mr. Sollers shared, “My family has a deep affection for the Gunston School, and we have been gratified to watch its extremely positive trajectory under the leadership of [Head of School] John Lewis and his team. We are delighted—and my Mom, her sister Emille, and their parents and grandparents would also have been delighted—that Gunston is the steward of, and uses wisely, the beautiful land that it acquired from my family.”

Indeed, when construction began on the new property, Mr. Sollers generously donated the funds to turn a former farming field into a pristine Bermuda-grass playing field. Mr. Sollers spent many hours of his childhood on Gunston’s campus in the summer before eventually heading off to Princeton University where he was a three time all-American and all-Ivy lacrosse player. From there, he enjoyed a storied legal career, and has been a strong supporter of independent education over the years, valuing not only Gunston’s commitment to education but also its commitment to physical fitness and the outdoors as essential elements of adolescent growth and development.

Sollers Field is one of two brand new fields currently in the works at Gunston in addition to plans for several pavilion spaces for community gathering, additional parking, and a beautiful new campus quad.

Gunston’s varsity field hockey team was the first to play on the field, winning against St. Mary’s Ryken High School, 2-1.

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Founded in 1911 and currently enrolling 247 students, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

The Gunston School’s signature fundraising event, the Bull & Oyster Roast, will be held on Saturday, October 19 from 5-9 p.m. on the school’s waterfront campus, overlooking the Corsica River. The evening includes delicious food provided by Phat Daddy’s BBQ and Superior OysterShuckers as well as a beer truck, wine pull, and signature cocktail. DJ Kevin with Good Vibrations Entertainment will be back and taking requests for the dance floor.

Now in its ninth year, the Bull & Oyster Roast features an online silent auction, a live auction, and a “Stop the Auction and Raise the Paddle” portion which raises dedicated funds for a specific cause each year. This year, Gunston has a special opportunity to raise funds for a matching $100,000 matching grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation. This grant will boost environmental education programs, including the Chesapeake Watershed Semester and Chesapeake Bay Studies. It will support the school’s new 40-acre waterfront property with educational spaces, trails, and signage, and fund a van, kayaks, and trailer for field trips. Additionally, it will fund an Environmental Scholars Fund to ensure all students can participate.

“We are so fortunate to have received this opportunity from the EE Ford Foundation,” explains Head of School John Lewis. “To ‘unlock’ the grant, we need to raise $100,000 dedicated to this cause. To help achieve this goal, we are earmarking all of the proceeds from the live and silent auctions, the Best of Live Auction Raffle, and the “Stop the Auction” portion of the Bull & Oyster Roast to this initiative.”

The online silent auction runs from October 14-20, giving the entire Gunston community a chance to bid on an array of fantastic vacations and fun experiences, golf outings, professional photography sessions, artwork, and more. This year’s raffle and live auction will be in person and includes a handful of big ticket items such as vacation packages with more details to be announced soon.

“We are in need of auction items for both the live and silent portion,” explains Bull & Oyster Roast Chair Valerie Overton, P’24’28. “Please consider donating your vacation home for a getaway or airline miles and hotel points. We’re also looking for things such as  personalized, VIP or behind-the-scenes experiences, signed sports memorabilia, event tickets, lessons—those are always very popular. And of course we welcome gift certificates from local restaurants and catering services, spas, boutiques– it all creates an unforgettable experience that not only raises funds for our school but creates lasting memories for the winning bidder!”

“This is also a wonderful sponsorship opportunity,” explains Gunston Parents Association President Ildi Watkins, P’26’28. “Please consider an individual or corporate sponsorship, as your generosity underwrites this event and makes it possible to raise the funds our students need.”

Tickets are on sale now at gunston.org/bullroast24 with early-bird pricing at $85 per person until August 31, $95 from Sept. 1-30, and $110 per person from Oct. 1-19. Tickets for alumni as well as former faculty and staff, and guests of current faculty and staff are $80. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

Sponsorships for the Bull & Oyster Roast range from $150 up to $5,000 with a price point for every budget. Additionally, there is an option to become a Heron Hero, which combines the sponsorship benefits of all three Gunston fundraising events, the Bull & Oyster Roast on October 19, the Heron Pickleball Tournament on April 12, and the Golfing fore Gunston on May 2.

This year’s Heron Heroes include Waterfront Sponsor Fred Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Easton (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25), Middleton Sponsors Joyce & Associates, LLC (Christine & Kevin Joyce, P’26), Easton Dermatology Associates, LLC (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), and “Friends of Gunston.” Corsica Sponsor Ebb Tide Tent & Party Rentals, and Green & White Team Sponsors Wye Mills Mechanical, LLC, Dr. Laurie & John Lewis, and the Shifrin Family, P’21’21.

This year’s Bull & Oyster Roast sponsors include BBQ Sponsors ShoreGate Partners (Chesley & Justin Nonemaker, P’27) and What’s Up? Media, Pit Beef Sponsor Island Creek Events (Katharine Greenlee Henning ’07), Half Shell Sponsor Smithey Law Group (Joyce Smithey, P’26) and Shore Sponsor Fit Flock.

The Gunston School is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $100,000 matching grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation to enhance its renowned environmental education programs and support the development of the school’s newly acquired property. Gunston has long been a leader in environmental education, with its annual Chesapeake Bay Studies experiential learning program, the Environmental Leadership for Independent School Leaders workshop, and the innovative Chesapeake Watershed Semester (CWS). CWS was launched with support from a previous EE Ford grant, and will soon launch its sixth semester.

The grant will be matched by $100,000 through annual fundraising efforts, totaling $200,000. This new EE Ford Grant will support transportation and equipment with the purchase of a passenger van, kayaks, and a trailer for field trips and water-based learning, benefiting all environmental programs. It will provide support for the development of Gunston’s recently acquired 40-acre waterfront property, including outdoor educational spaces, trails, and signage. Additionally, the grant will fund an Environmental Scholars Fund, a means of financial support for students to participate in the school’s diverse environmental learning programs.

“This is the second prestigious EE Ford grant we’ve received for our dynamic environmental teaching and learning programs, and the foundation seeks to honor schools that are at the forefront of educational innovation,” said Head of School John Lewis. “This grant will further inspire and educate future leaders in environmental science and stewardship. It provides great momentum as we welcome our new director for CWS and Sustainability, Mr. Brad Hirsh, in July. Let me thank both Ms. Ronnie Vesnaver and Ms. Melissa Haber for their great work on this grant proposal.”

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Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located on 75 waterfront acres in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

The Gunston School celebrated its 113th commencement this past Saturday, June 8, honoring the Class of 2024 with a waterfront ceremony overlooking the Corsica River, as family and friends looked on. The procession began with Bagpiper Andrew Jaecks, followed by school faculty and staff, and then graduating seniors. This year’s senior class was accepted to 153 colleges and universities, earning nearly 12 million dollars in merit scholarships.

Head of School John Lewis introduced the commencement speaker, President of Washington College Michael J. (Mike) Sosulski, Ph.D., who took office in September 2021. Dr. Sosulski has implemented several initiatives including a $20 million investment in renovations of residence halls, improved Wi-Fi quality and access, and approved the addition of golf, cross country, and track and field as new sports for men and women. Additionally, he helped steward the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the College—$50 million from the Hodson Trust dedicated to financial support for students.

“You are embarking on the next chapter of your life,” said Dr. Sosulski, “One of the most important things you can do is offer your opinions up for scrutiny. Why? For two reasons: first, it is one of the primary ways that you will learn and grow. […] It is about the pursuit of knowledge. Exposure to how others see the world will help you become the person you are meant to be. Some of those perspectives will reinforce your own, while others will flip your thinking on its head. The other reason to offer your opinions for scrutiny is simple—often … we’re just wrong. And the quicker we realize it, the better off we are.”

Mr. Lewis and Gunston’s Chair of the Board Joe Janney, P’21 then presented each graduate with their diploma, individually handcrafted by faculty member Michael Kaylor on an antique letterpress.

This year’s valedictorian honor (also called the Samuel A. Middleton Award after one of the school’s founders) was bestowed upon Zoe Buzzelli of Grasonville, Md. the day prior at the school’s Green & White Awards Ceremony.

“This year’s winner is a superior student, leader, athlete, community servant, and National Honor Society member. She finished with a mathematically perfect 4.0 GPA, having taken the most rigorous course load of her grade, including eight AP courses. Having taught her last year, she is engaged, curious and fun, and above all else, totally thorough. She’s a member of the Chesapeake Watershed Semester […] she served as sophomore, junior, and senior class president, and as an athlete, she is a multi-sport and conference champion and has been the captain of four athletic teams: cross country, volleyball, swimming, and triathlon,” said Mr. Lewis.

Zoe had this parting wisdom for classmates: “The advice I am trying to leave you with is probably some of the only advice I am qualified to give, for it is not instructions on how to change the world, although I hope you do; it is simply a reminder to make your world a better place. Find people who lift you and people who encourage you. People who aren’t afraid to challenge you to make you better. Find people who will work hard with you and strive to achieve collective goals. And most importantly find people who bring you joy. Build your foundation with these people, so that whatever life may throw at you, you are steady because of your strength and the strength of the people around you. And Class of 2024, we are lucky enough to have Gunston as part of our foundation.”

Presented by Assistant Head of School Christie Grabis, the prestigious Gunston Award, which began in 1969, is unique in that it’s chosen by the vote of the entire school community, including students, faculty, and staff, and is given to the senior who embodies Gunston’s core values daily. This award was also given to Zoe Buzzelli. “A role model of citizenship and a thoughtful leader, this student makes every person feel important and worthy. The Gunston community has benefitted from her earnest investment in all academic, social, and personal commitments,” said Mrs. Grabis.

Mr. Lewis concluded the awards ceremony with a request of the graduates, made as he held a hand-crafted six-foot wooden social distancing stick aloft. “I carried this around in the first weeks of your ninth-grade year, much of which was spent be masked under a semi-heated tent. As Mrs. Grabis said a few days ago when we were chatting about this, ‘Right, these were the tent kids.’ So when thinking about what I would like to do with this stick […] I’d like each of you to sign it with a sharpie, so I can keep it in my office forever as a symbol of the grit, resilience, and grace of the Class of 2024.”

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Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located on 75 waterfront acres in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

The Gunston School is proud to announce the induction of two remarkable athletes, Eleanora Keene ’11 and Olivia Keene ’13, into the Gunston Athletic Hall of Fame. Eleanora, a true sports star, distinguished herself in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse during her time at Gunston. As a four-year letter winner and team captain in each sport, Eleanora demonstrated exceptional leadership and skill. In field hockey, she was part of the 2008 ESIAC Tournament Champions and earned multiple ESIAC All-Conference honors. In basketball, Eleanora’s achievements include the prestigious ESIAC Team Sportsmanship Award and the Gunston Defensive Most Valuable Player (MVP) title. In lacrosse, her talent shone bright; she was named to the All-Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Association and All-Capital Area Lacrosse League and was honored as the CALL MVP. Eleanora continued her athletic journey at Guilford College, where she set numerous school records, including career ground balls, draw controls, and caused turnovers. She was named the Best Female Athlete at Guilford College in 2015.

Olivia Keene ’13, another exceptional athlete, left an indelible mark on Gunston’s sports legacy. Olivia’s dedication and skill were evident in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse. As a four-year letter winner and team captain, Olivia led by example, earning multiple ESIAC All-Conference honors and MVP titles. Her leadership was instrumental in guiding her lacrosse team to two conference championships. She was also named Gunston’s Class of 2013 valedictorian before continuing her athletic journey at Puget Sound, where she broke the school’s single-season scoring record and earned multiple accolades, including All-Northwest Conference First Team. Additionally, both Keene sisters won the Anita Gruss Student Athlete-Award during their time at Gunston.

“We are beyond honored to be here,” said Eleanora who gave a combined speech with her sister Olivia, “to be received with so much excitement, respect, and love is so touching and a true testament to The Gunston School’s ability to nurture and support its students, past, present and future. […] Being a part of a team gave us the tools and confidence for self discovery, which is not an easy journey for anyone, but through sports, we learned how to lead, how to recognize strength in others and ourselves, the importance of diversity, how to handle pressure, loss and disappointment, and how to have an open dialogue with our bodies.”

The Keene sisters both now reside in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Eleanora is an oil and watercolor artist and owner of The Desert and The Sea. Olivia is an instructor for both Atlantic Challenge USA and for the National Outdoor Leadership School. She is also an artist and designs jewelry.

“I’ve come to appreciate the concept of legacy,” said Head of School John Lewis. “The traditions and values you pass along to others who come behind you. Tonight’s Hall of Fame inductees, Eleanora and Olivia Keene were the heart and soul of Gunston women’s athletics. They were great players; they were great leaders; they were great teammates; they were enormous fun to watch; they hung banners; and they passed along a tradition of athletic excellence that every student-athlete in this audience has inherited. Gunston owes them a debt of gratitude for the example they set, and the flame they passed along.”

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The Gunston School Athletics Program has 20 interscholastic teams, as well as several recreational athletic offerings. Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located on 75 waterfront acres in Centreville, Maryland. Visit gunston.org for more information.

The Gunston School’s annual spring fundraiser, Golfing “fore” Gunston V, on Friday, May 3 welcomed parents, alumni and community members for a warm and sun-filled day on the links at Queenstown Harbor. The event raised nearly $35,000 for Gunston’s annual giving program, which supports the students and faculty of the school by offering opportunities beyond what tuition would typically pay for. The GOLF Channel’s Professional Long Driver Scott Kalamar was on hand for an entertaining “Hole in 2” challenge, where golfers who made a qualifying donation could attempt to hole out the pro’s 400-yard drive on Par 5. While there were no winners on the challenge, it was great entertainment.

After 18 holes, golfers gathered for lunch and an awards ceremony. Placing first for Women’s/Mixed was Gillespie & Son’s team of Erin Gillespie, P’07’09, Tricia Mooney, P’15’19, Bobbie Cusimano, P’10’12, and Maria Gillespie ’10 (with a score of 54). First Place for Men’s was Fleetwood Insurance’s team of Spencer McCallister, Dan Shriver, Jim Fodrie and Dickie Kemp (with a score of 55). Closest to the Pin winner was David Henry, P’20’23; Women’s Longest Drive winner was Erin Gillespie; Men’s Longest Drive was Brian Dare, P’25; and the Last Place Winners went to the Mirando Chiropractic team of Dominick & Christy Mirando, P’26, Scott Boomer and Michelle Martin.

“Despite spending most of my tournament looking for my errant shots in the woods, it was a tremendously fun event for all involved. We’re grateful for the support of our community, and we look forward to this tournament again next year. Fore!” said Head of School John Lewis.

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Tournament sponsors include Heron Heroes Fred Frederick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram  (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25) and What’s Up? Media. Crew Station sponsors include Heron Heroes “Friends of Gunston,” Easton Dermatology Associates (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), Joyce & Associates, LLC (Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26), and Miss Alice & Crew ’75.

Award sponsors include Gillespie & Son, Inc. (The Gillespie Family, P’07’09’20’22’24), McCallister, Detar, Showalter & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27) and Key Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation (The Kroncke Family, P’23’23’27). Refreshment sponsors include The Shifrin Family, P’21’21, Dr. Laurie & John Lewis, Mirando Chiropractic Center (Kristy & Dominic Mirando, P’25), The Kent School, The Country School, Callahan’s Gas & Appliance, Dogwood Acres, Chris & Dawn Bent, P’25’27 and Shore United Bank. Contest sponsors include Tred Avon Wealth Management, The Prell Family, and Palmieri & Shannahan Financial Planning. Hole sponsors include St. Anne’s School of Annapolis, Bob Sanderson, P’22’23, Fleetwood Insurance Group, Wye Mills Mechanical, LLC, The Daisy Group: Estate Management, In Honor of Sally Clark (Former Gunston Art Teacher) and Serino Orthodontics.

The Gunston School is delighted to announce the appointment of Brad Hirsh as Gunston’s new Director of the Chesapeake Watershed Semester and Sustainability. In this role, Hirsh will be responsible for leading one of the nation’s most innovative college preparatory environmental education programs.

Gunston’s Chesapeake Watershed Semester (CWS) is a unique opportunity for highly motivated high school students in 11th and 12th grades to immerse themselves in the study and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay for one semester. Through dynamic and diverse field-study expeditions, students travel the region meeting with stakeholders and conducting research. From our waterfront campus, students take honors and AP-level classes while maintaining an intense, hands-on engagement with the natural environment.

“Next year will be the 6th year of CWS, and we look forward to the program’s continued growth and development,” said Head of School John Lewis.

Hirsh has a remarkable range of teaching, program leadership, and environmental education experience. Since 2019, he has served as a Program Director at Sultana Education Foundation in Chestertown, where he developed several new programs, expanded grant support, managed significant equipment inventory, and notably has been directly involved with Gunston students through its CWS and Bay Studies programs. Before Sultana, he served in multiple teaching and leadership positions at independent schools in Pennsylvania and Nevada, as well as at Echo Hill Outdoor School. A graduate of St. Andrew’s School and Bard College, Hirsh is a native of Kent County and possesses a deep knowledge of the ecology and culture of the Chesapeake Bay. He is well positioned to lead CWS, as well as Gunston’s Chesapeake Bay Studies program and various other campus sustainability efforts.

In his application, Hirsh shared, “The potential of working with students and teachers interested in the history, ecology, literature, and politics of the Chesapeake Bay thrills me. As a child growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I took for granted the natural wonder that was all around me. Only after exploring the rest of the country and then returning to the Eastern Shore as an adult and professional did I realize the uniqueness of my childhood home. I believe that Gunston is creating a space for students to experience the wonders of the Chesapeake Bay and not take those wonders for granted like I did, and I would be honored to be a part of that process.”