Haertter, Weinrich, Arnold, Schandorff, Salomon and Keefer: Honoring (Some of) the Greats 1926-2013

Even though the Burroughs campus has been dramatically transformed in recent years, the focus remains on what happens inside the buildings. Great teachers and coaches doing what they do every day - in the classroom, on the stage, on the playing fields and in the art studios - have a lasting impact on their students. Six of them, representing every decade since the school's founding in 1923, were recognized by donors to the Campaign for Burroughs.

Like its predecessor, the new Performing Arts Center is named for Leonard "Gov" Haertter, who joined Burroughs in 1926 as a fledgling mathematics teacher and retired in 1964 as still the school's longest-standing headmaster. In a history of Burroughs published for the school's 75th anniversary, Gov is remembered "dashing along the football sidelines, urging his boys to victory; or folding chairs with the custodians after an assembly, adjusting classroom shades after school; or advising maintenance men John Wesley and the young Robert Hill on the proper care of lawn and garden. The intensity of his relationship with every family, every child seemingly, became the stuff of legend." The first major gift to the new Haertter Hall came from the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Foundation, and was designated for a new assembly hall at the heart of the campus and school life. Dr. Barbara Olin Taylor '50 and her husband, the late F. Morgan "Buzz" Taylor, Jr., also made major gifts to the support the project, with Buzz giving his to honor Barbara and his three Burroughs classmates from Princeton.

A gift from Terry '71 and Sally Schnuck honored two of the school's former teachers, the late Ralph Weinrich (music, Latin) and the late Wayne Arnold (English, theatre). Between them, they led the performing arts program for nearly 50 years. The orchestra pit honors Weinrich, who taught at Burroughs from 1933 to 1972, and the stage honors Arnold, who taught at JBS from 1952 to 1979.

Weinrich inspired hundreds of students to raise their voices during his 39 years as chairman of the music department. He developed the Junior Chorus for seventh, eighth and ninth grades, and the Glee Club for the upper classes. He figured prominently in the expansion and development of the school's Christmas program, which continues to this day as a Burroughs holiday tradition. Arnold taught several English classes but was most closely associated with the school's dramatics department (now the theatre department), which he chaired for many years. Students who were either in his classroom or on the stage remember him vividly-his imagination and consummate skill were much admired.

The Green Room in the new Performing Arts Center was given anonymously in honor of Peter Schandorff (speech and debate, history) by one of his former students. Schandorff, who joined the Burroughs history department in 1971 to teach seventh grade social studies and Asian and American history, stayed for nearly four decades, until 2008, and left his mark: as chair of the speech and debate department, which he largely built; as an early faculty sponsor of the Model United Nations program; as director of musical theatre in the 1970s; and as a college counselor, director of August Days, varsity cross country coach, announcer for JBS home football games, and guide to Burroughs families and their friends on more than 25 trips to China.

Jon Hamm '89 named the Black Box theatre in the new Performing Arts Center in honor of his former teacher, Wayne Salomon (speech and debate, theatre). Salomon, who came to Burroughs in 1987 and retired in 2016, was chair of the theatre department and taught and mentored a long line of JBS alums who have gone on to successful careers in theatre, television and film. When accepting the 2011 Arts and Education Council's Educator of the Year Award, Salomon summed up his passion for the arts: "We need art because it humanizes and challenges us and puts us on the best, most certain path I know to the truth. Art in its many manifestations holds us up and holds us together."

Equipment in the weight room of the new Athletic Center has been named with an anonymous gift in honor of Lee Keefer (athletics), who taught and coached at Burroughs from 1996 to 2010. As a JV baseball coach, B and C football coach and 7th and 8th grade PE instructor, Keefer was admired for his ability to take young athletes under his wing and cultivate the spirit of Bomber sportsmanship early in their JBS athletic careers. He also kept fans well-informed by taking on announcing duties during varsity basketball games. Keefer is the husband of former athletic director Skippy Keefer.

Recognizing educators like Haertter, Arnold, Weinrich, Schandorff, Salomon and Keefer not only honors their service, but helps ensure that future generations of Burroughs students will continue to benefit from dedicated teachers whose lessons transcend the classroom and inform their students' lives for years to come. Making a bequest through a will, living trust or life insurance policy can be a thoughtful and meaningful way to pay tribute to a Burroughs teacher who made an impact on your life. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Ginger Imster in the Development Office at gimster@jburroughs.org or 314-993-4045, ext. 256.