The Gunston School is pleased to announce the Mid-Shore College Fair and Financial Planning Evening on Tuesday, October 28 from 6-8 p.m. at Chesapeake College’s Health Professions and Athletics Center in Wye Mills, Md. This event is free and open to the public, however advanced registration is highly encouraged. Students will receive a barcode after registering, and colleges will scan it during the fair to receive the student’s contact information. Participants are encouraged to browse the college fair at their own pace and have the option to attend one of two sessions on the Financial Aid Process at 6:15 and 7:15 p.m. This event typically draws around 60-75 colleges and universities from across the country.

“Our college guidance program is all about finding the right fit for each student, and we take a lot of pride in that personalized approach,” explains Co-Director of College Guidance Emily Coffey. “By bringing the Mid-Shore College Fair to our community, we’re able to share that commitment and offer a valuable resource to all students and families in the area, helping them navigate a process that can feel pretty overwhelming.”

The Mid-Shore College Fair was made possible with support from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Students may register at https://app.strivescan.com/registration. Contact Gunston’s Directors of College Guidance with questions: Emily Coffey, [email protected] or 410-758-0620 ext 3101 and Tony D’Antonio, [email protected] or 410-758-0620 ext 3100.

To date, the following colleges and universities will be attending (with about 20 more expected to be added to the list before the October event:

* Alfred University
* Alvernia University
* Bucknell University
* Cairn University
* Cedar Crest College
* Chesapeake College
* Christopher Newport University
* Clarkson University
* Drexel University
* Eastern Shore Higher Education Center
* Elizabethtown College
* Franklin & Marshall College
* Goldey-Beacom College
* Goucher College
* Hampden-Sydney College
* Hobart and William Smith
* Hood College
* Juniata College
* Loyola University Maryland
* Lycoming College
* Maine Maritime Academy
* McDaniel College
* Momnouth University
* Mount St. Mary’s University
* Neumann University
* Notre Dame of Maryland University
* Old Dominion University
* Palm Beach Atlantic University
* Randolph-Macon College
* Saint Joseph’s University
* Salisbury University
* Salve Regina University
* Savannah College of Art and Design
* St. John’s College (Annapolis/Santa Fe)
* St. Mary’s College of Maryland
* Stetson University
* Stevenson University
* Susquehanna University
* The Catholic University of America
* Towson University
* University of Alabama
* University of Delaware
* University of Maryland, Baltimore County
* University of New Haven
* University of Rhode Island
* University of Tennessee, Knoxville
* Ursinus College
* Washington College
* West Virginia University
* Wilson College

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. 

The Gunston School’s signature fundraising event, the Bull & Oyster Roast, will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 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.

Now in its 10th 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. For 2025, Gunston is asking the community to Raise the Paddle to support a major campus technology upgrade, including a comprehensive overhaul of our network infrastructure to ensure fast, secure, and seamless connectivity across campus, as well as upgrades to classroom technology. These upgrades are essential to supporting student learning, classroom technology, campus safety systems, and daily operations.

“These upgrades are essential to supporting student learning, classroom technology, campus safety systems, and daily operations,” explains Head of School John Lewis. “And with the community’s help, we can make them a reality.”

The online silent auction runs the week before the event, 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 live auction will be in person and includes a handful of big ticket items such as vacation packages and catered cruises with more details to be announced soon.

The online silent auction runs from October 13-19, 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.

“Buy event tickets, buy raffle tickets, you can donate wine–there are many different ways to support the school,” explains Bull & Oyster Roast Co-Chair Melanie McMahan, P’27’28. “We are in need of auction items for both the live and silent portion,” “Vacation getaways, airline miles, or hotel points. Other donations could include VIP or behind-the-scenes experiences, sports memorabilia, event tickets, lessons—things like that. We also welcome gift certificates from local businesses.”

“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/bullroast25 with early-bird pricing at $85 per person until August 31, $95 from Sept. 1-30, and $110 per person from Oct. 1-18. 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 18 2026, and the Golfing fore Gunston on May 1, 2026.

This year’s supporters include Bull’s Eye Sponsor Fred Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Easton (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23’25), Precision Contactors (Lesley & Tim Faff, P’23’26’29), and What’s Up? Magazine; Oyster Sponsor Eastern Shore Vacation Rentals (Bryan Trautman, P’23’27); BBQ Sponsors Paul T. Ewing (Pam & Charlie Andrews, P’26), McCallister, Detar, Showalter & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27) and ShoreGate Partners (Chesley & Justin Nonemaker, P’27’29); Pearl Sponsors PepUp (Melanie & Nash McMahan, P’27’28), Fleetwood Insurance Group (Creg Fleetwood, P’29), The Law Offices of Parker Counts  (Lee Gordon, P’28’29) and Molly’s Place (Nick & Katie Shajwani, P’26); Pit Beef Sponsors Dr. Laurie & John Lewis, The Shifrin Family, P’21’21, Wye Mills Mechanical, LLC (Marie & Stephen Thomas), The Malone Family, P’28 and Smithey Law Group (Joyce Smithey, P’26); and Shore Sponsor Fit Flock and Wrench & Socket (Tim & Beth Lavery, P’26).

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.

The Gunston School is proud to announce that 34 of its students have been recognized by the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program for their outstanding performance on college-level AP exams during the 2024 testing cycle. In addition to these remarkable student accomplishments, Gunston was also selected as a pilot school for the College Board’s AP Cybersecurity program, a new course being developed as part of the College Board’s Career Kickstart initiative.

AP Cybersecurity is designed to introduce high school students to foundational concepts in digital security and prepare them for emerging careers in the cybersecurity field. While any high school may teach cybersecurity, AP Cybersecurity is currently in a limited-access pilot phase and will not be available nationally until the 2026–2027 academic year. Gunston will begin offering the course during the 2025–2026 school year as part of this exclusive early-access cohort, adding to their already extensive offering of AP courses.

As a pilot school, Gunston will receive direct support and curriculum resources from leading industry partners including Cisco, CYBER.ORG, and Paradigm Cyber Ventures. Participating students will also have the opportunity to receive vouchers for CompTIA certification exam preparation and fees—an industry-recognized credential in the cybersecurity field.

Each fall, the College Board recognizes high-achieving students across the nation with AP Scholar Awards. These accolades are granted to students who have demonstrated exceptional success across multiple AP subject areas and include:

AP Scholar with Distinction is awarded to students who earn an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. The following students were recognized: Lily Brantner, Emery Day, Elena Fraser, Brayden Hamm, Trevor Janssen, Jameson (Conner) Joyce,  Justin McCubbin, Elijah Moore, Margaret Randolph and Lucas Watkins.

AP Scholar with Honor is granted to students who earn an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more exams. The following students were recognized: Kate Andrews, Annabelle Baker, Jed Cohen, Victoria MacGlashan, Vee McCluskey, Isla McCollum, Robert (Ethan) McWilliams and Eamon Schopfer.

AP Scholar is awarded to students who score 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. The following students were recognized: Alexander (Alex) Bent, Allison Davis, Alex Elfenbein, Lennox Franks, Adit Gupta, Grace Hanlon, Eleonor Hubbert, Logan Kille, Sydney Kim, Louise Mulock, Alivia Runz, Evelyn Russ, Katherine Seybert, Zachary Steinberg, Mia Walker and Lily Weny.

“Academic rigor is a core value at Gunston,” explains Head of School John Lewis, “and our AP Scholars are to be congratulated for their achievement on these challenging national exams. Let me also acknowledge the remarkable faculty who guided students through these college-level courses, and supported our culture of high expectations. Having taught many of these students personally, I can attest that they are deeply dedicated to their studies, and are superbly prepared for college and beyond! Meanwhile, the AP Cybersecurity course represents an exciting frontier in high school education—one that empowers students to engage with real-world issues while preparing for future academic and professional success. Only a few schools nationwide were accepted into this program, and it’s a testament to the strength of our computer science curriculum.”

 

 

 

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Founded in 1911 and currently enrolling 256 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 celebrated its 114th commencement this past Saturday, June 7, honoring the Class of 2025 with a waterfront ceremony overlooking the Corsica River, as family and friends looked on. Despite the rain, the procession began on time with Bagpiper Andrew Jaecks, followed by school faculty and staff, and then graduating seniors. This year’s 62 members of the senior class were accepted to 149 colleges and universities, earning nearly $12 million dollars in merit scholarships.

Head of School John Lewis introduced the commencement speaker, Director of ShoreRivers, Isabel Hardesty, who works to protect Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-backed advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement. She had this advice for the graduates: “You all are entering a really exciting and energizing time of your lives, where you have so many new opportunities to experience and new people to meet. So for the next 2-4 years, say yes. Do stuff that scares you. Go outside and move your body. Character and attitude matter more than hard skills. I look forward to seeing your confident, driven, risk-taking, problem-solving, happy, well-rounded selves in my applicant pool when you graduate college. Good luck!” she said.

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 Brayden Hamm of Smyrna, Del., the day prior at the school’s Green & White Awards Ceremony.

“It goes without saying that this student’s academic record is exceptional, having earned a perfect grade 4.0 point average across perhaps the most rigorous course load ever taken at Gunston, including 12 AP courses ranging from Computer Science, to Spanish, to English Literature, to several histories,” said Mr. Lewis. “Without question, we expect to learn in July that he will earn a National AP Scholar distinction. He is also a person of exceptional attitude and character. Outside of the classroom, he is the beating heart of the Math Club and the Rowing Team, and he has volunteered his time in activities ranging from Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s to the Delaware Aerospace Academy. As you will hear in his speech, he is a deeply intellectual, philosophical, studious, kind, and ethical person.”

Hamm had this parting wisdom for classmates: “We are comprised of talented designers and engineers, of dedicated environmental advocates, of prospective medical practitioners, of creative writers and essayists, of stunning artists, of gifted musicians, of skillful athletes, of distinguished coders, and of incredibly knowledgeable trivia junkies – all just to name a few. We have spent countless hours of hardship in charting our way forward with commendable course rigor, while also finding sufficient time to enjoy the company of one another and keep our experience tangible and enjoyable. But, of course, not much of this would have ever been possible if it weren’t for the greater community at Gunston.”

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 on a daily basis. This award was given to Mia Walker (Easton, Md.). “Their actions reflect a genuine commitment to connection and have helped build lasting relationships that strengthen the fabric of our school. Being chosen by a vote of the entire community affirms this student’s lived example of true camaraderie,” said Mrs. Grabis.

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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 the legendary 2000 Varsity Field Hockey Team into the Gunston’s Athletic Hall of Fame. This exceptional team carved their place in Gunston history with a dominant season, finishing with an impressive 13-3-2 record and clinching both the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference’s (ESIAC) regular season and tournament championships, a first for the newly-reincorporated Gunston Day School at the time. Not only was this their first season in the ESIAC, but it was also the first time Gunston had won a championship of any kind. They’re also the first team to be inducted into the hall of fame.

Under the guidance of Coach Anita Gruss—who also won the ESIAC’s Coach of the Year Award in 2000—the field hockey team not only demonstrated athletic excellence but also set the standard for teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Captains Carrie Fredland ’01 (ESIAC Player of the Year), Rachael Osberger ’01, and Chrissie (Terpeluk) Parker ’01 (ESIAC Tournament MVP) led the team. The team’s success was widely recognized across the conference and region. Seven players earned ESIAC All-Conference honors: Jenny Dey ’03, Carrie Fredland ’01, Rachael Osberger ’01, Shaw Strannahan ’02, Chrissie (Terpeluk) Parker ’01, Summer Veltman ’02, and Laura Williams ’03. Four players—Diana Jeffra ’01, Fletcher Johnson ’01, Strannahan ’02, and Terpeluk Parker ’01—were named to the ESIAC All-Tournament Team. Terpeluk Parker also earned First Team honors on the Star Democrat All Mid-Shore Field Hockey Team, with Strannahan and Osberger named to the Second Team, and Fredland receiving Honorable Mention.

“The biggest part of this team’s success was our three captains, [Fredland, Osberger and (Terpeluk) Parker]. It was like having three assistant coaches, which was a luxury,” said Ms. Gruss. “They helped manage things and they believed in my plan and they supported it and the team one hundred percent.”

The full roster of the Hall of Fame inductees includes: Katie Willis ’01, Elizabeth Miller Walters ’01, Sarah Ross ’02, Katie Scott ’01, Cullen West Raphael ’01, Diana Jeffra ’01, Chrissie (Terpeluk) Parker ’01, Rachel Osberger ’01, Carrie Fredland ’01, Rita Baghdadi ’03, Cristina (Laggini) Mudge ’03, Ora Beth (Mika) Mills ’03, Summer (Veltman) Denise ’02, Katie (Graham) Phillips ’04, Megan (Moore) Dunne ’04, Fletcher Johnson ’01, Laura Williams ’03, Shaw Strannahan ’02, Lauren Breslin ’03, Jenny Dey ’03, and Coach Anita Gruss, who previously served as Gunston’s Director of Athletics for years.

The Gunston School’s annual spring fundraiser, Golfing “fore” Gunston VI, on Friday, May 2 welcomed parents, alumni and community members for a beautiful and warm day on the links at Queenstown Harbor. More than 80 golfers and 25 sponsors raised $40,000 for the school’s annual giving program, supporting the students and faculty of Gunston. Golfers began at 9 a.m. and enjoyed a lunch cookout at the Turn as well as refreshments and snacks throughout the day. After finishing 18 holes, golfers gathered for an awards ceremony.

Placing first for the Women’s/Mixed category was the “Fred Frederick Team” of Janell Frederick, P’23’25 (who also hit a hole in one that day!), Liz Brinster, Bonnie Castille and Julie Dixon, with a score of 59. First place for the Men’s category went to the “Angry Birdies,” with John Caron, P’17, Curtis Biggs, Jim Shifrin, P’21’21, and Brian Zottarelli, P’25’27 with a score of 55. Prizes for first place winners included Cooperstown Distillery bourbon whiskey bottled in golf club-shaped decanters with a set of nesting shot glasses. Winners for Men and Women’s Longest drive took home a new Stanley Cooler and included Charles Boyd and Julie Dixon. Dixon also won Closest to the Pin, receiving a foursome gift certificate from Queenstown Harbor.

Joining again this year was Professional Long Driver Scott Kalamar for an entertaining “Hole in 2” challenge, where golfers who made a qualifying donation can attempt to hole out the pro’s 400-yard drive on Par 5 for a chance to win a 3-day dream golf getaway to Pebble Beach, Cal.

Head of School John Lewis addressed golfers and sponsors at the awards ceremony. “First, I’d like to thank Golf Event Chair Brigitte Stranahan, P’25’27 for her leadership and help with this event, and I just really want to thank everyone here again for their generous support. Because of your commitment to the school, I get to say ‘yes’—yes to incredible experiences for our students and faculty that enrich their lives and expand their horizons. Just last week, I had the privilege of taking a group of students to Chicago for a national academic competition—a trip that simply wouldn’t have been possible without the kind of community support represented here today. On behalf of everyone at Gunston, thank you for making these moments possible.”

Tournament sponsors include Heron Heroes Fred Frederick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23 ’25) and What’s Up? Media. Grill Station sponsors include Heron Heroes Joyce & Associates, LLC (Kevin & Christine Joyce, P’26), Easton Dermatology Associates (Brigitte & Dr. Donald Stranahan, P’25’27), and Horace K. Wood, DMD, PA (Leigh & Dr. Horace K. Wood, P’24’27). Awards sponsors include Heron Heroes McCallister, Detar, Showalter & Walker (Adele & Ryan Showalter, P’25’27 and Melissa & Doug Walker, P’25’27), “Friends of Gunston,” Paul Ewing’s Contractor Supply (Pam & Charlie Andrews, P’26), The Bent Family, P’25’27 and Serino Orthodontics. Eagle sponsors include Heron Heroes Ebb Tide Tent & Party Rentals, The Dreeke Family, P’28, Callahan’s Gas & Appliances (The Callahan Family, P’22), and PepUp (Melanie & Nash McMahan, P’27’28). Birdie sponsors include Heron Heroes Dr. Laurie & John Lewis, The Shifrin Family, P’21’21, Wye Mills Mechanical, LLC (Marie & Stephen Thomas), ShoreGate Partners (Chesley & Justin Nonemaker, P’27’29), Dogwood Acres (The Reichardt Family, P’21), Shore United Bank (The Augustus Family, P’26’28), The Country School, and Tred Avon Family Wealth. Hole sponsors include Lona Sue Todd of Taylor Properties, Wrench & Socket, LLC (Beth & Tim Lavery, P’26), and St. Anne’s School of Annapolis.

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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.

This past weekend, The Gunston School hosted the 2025 Maryland State High School Rowing Championships on its 75-acre campus situated on the Corsica River, bringing together 130 athletes and approximately 300 spectators from across the state. Participating programs included Roland Park Country School, Elizabeth Seton High School, Freedom Rowers, Blair Crew, and host team Gunston.

“I’m incredibly proud of our rowers—not just for their strong finishes, but for the teamwork, determination, and grace they showed throughout the regatta. Hosting this event is always an honor, and it was wonderful to see so many dedicated young athletes competing at such a high level,” said Assistant Athletic Director for Waterfront Athletics and Head Crew Coach Natalie Reading. Thanks to the Corsica River’s natural protection, race conditions remained consistent and calm all day—perfect for competition.

Roland Park Country School was named the overall state champion, with strong finishes across multiple events, including gold in the Women’s Varsity 4+ (WV4+) and Women’s Novice 4+ (WN4+). Gunston earned second place overall, highlighted by gold medals in both the Men’s Varsity 4+ (MV4+) and Men’s Junior Varsity 4+ (MJV4+). Medals were awarded for all first-place finishes, and the event served as a celebration of the dedication and sportsmanship of Maryland’s young rowers.

Support for the regatta was provided by USRowing, the Maryland Natural Resources Police, and the Maryland State Police. Thanks to strong collaboration between coaches, race officials, and safety agencies, this year’s regatta ran more smoothly than ever before, earning praise from participants and spectators alike. Additional images can be found online at row2k.com.

The Gunston School’s Rocketry Team recently concluded its most active and ambitious season yet, with 19 students participating in the 2025 American Rocketry Challenge (ARC)—the nation’s largest middle and high school rocketry competition. Guided by mentors Dr. Ken Wilson, Mr. Ryan Reading, and Dr. Mariah Goodall, students began meeting in October, devoting 11 weekends to designing, building, and testing their own rockets using raw materials supplied by the school.

This year’s ARC challenge required students to engineer a rocket capable of carrying two hen eggs, mounted sideways, to an altitude of 790 feet. After reaching that height, the rocket had to separate into two sections that would descend independently via parachute, with the egg-containing section landing exactly 42 seconds after launch. In addition to meeting these complex design criteria, students had to pass safety inspections, conduct flight simulations, and work collaboratively through challenges in construction, testing, and troubleshooting.

The student-led program was coordinated by senior Emma Sharp, who served as the team’s “Rocketry Tsar.” She oversaw logistics, documentation, and supported team problem-solving throughout the year. During the fall semester, while Emma participated in the Chesapeake Watershed Semester, junior Connor Joyce stepped in as “Rocketry Rasputin,” offering critical support with rocket design and simulation software.

The Gunston rocketry students were divided into four teams. Team Mini Apollo, led by Eamon Schopfer ’26, came the closest to achieving the altitude goal, reaching 837 feet—just a 6% deviation from the target. Team Stellar Stooges, led by AJ Friedrich ’27 and including Nevin Porter ’26, Denis Hein ’26, Aiden Filer ’26, and Tiago Paul ’27, drew attention for their rocket’s striking Maryland flag design. The team’s craftsmanship and artistic execution stood out, and the rocket flew straight and true in testing, though it also experienced occasional issues with parachute deployment.

Team Sparrow, led by Tommy McGeady ’25 alongside teammates Trevor Janssen ’25, Jed Cohen ’26, and Andrew Shingledecker ’27, took a bold approach with a rocket design featuring mid-body canards in addition to traditional tail fins. Team Short Rocket, which included Logan Kile ’25, Kyle Dixon ’27, Blake Algier ’26, Tai Davis ’28, Caden Quiron ’26, and Grant Edgar ’28, focused on innovation. Logan designed a clustered-engine rocket powered by three motors and incorporating student-designed 3D-printed parts. The rocket passed inspection and was cleared for launch at Red Glare, but a loose electrical connection in the ignition system prevented liftoff. The team plans to attempt the rocket’s first full launch at Gunston later this spring.

These four teams of 19 students attended the Red Glare Rocketry Festival in Church Hill, Md., and brought five rockets for launch. Each team underwent formal inspections with the Range Safety Officer before heading to a professionally managed launch field, where rockets were flown one at a time. In addition to their ARC rockets, students launched a two-stage rocket built from a kit by Connor Joyce ’26, a tube-fin rocket, and a scale model of NASA’s Space Launch System, which is designed to return humans to the moon. Nearly all the rockets featured custom-designed 3D-printed components fabricated by students themselves.

“While the teams did not advance to the ARC national finals, the season was marked by bold design choices, meaningful learning experiences, and a deepened understanding of engineering, collaboration, and persistence,” said Dr. Wilson. “Students definitely finished the program with a stronger foundation in aerospace and STEM fields, as well as a sense of pride in the growth and creativity they demonstrated throughout the year.”

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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 pleased to welcome Mike Hardesty as its new Director of Facilities. Hardesty brings 18 years of experience in maintaining and enhancing educational campuses, combined with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability—a core Gunston value. He is a graduate of Washington College with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Environmental Science, as well as a Master’s in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University.

Most recently, he was the Associate Director of Staff and Programs for the Center of Environment and Society at Washington College, as well as the Director of their River and Field Campus–a 5,000 acre property that was gifted to the college for integration into their educational mission. During his time there, he served as the staff lead for the design and construction of Semans Griswold Environmental Hall, the college’s 10,000-square foot flagship sustainability facility, and was responsible for ensuring that the building achieved certification under Living Building Standards.

“I am excited to join the Gunston community,” said Hardesty. “As someone deeply committed to environmental sustainability, I am eager to help shape a campus that reflects the school’s commitment to not just the environment and sustainability but also innovation.”

In his new role at Gunston, Hardesty will manage all aspects of the school’s 75-acre campus and physical plant, overseeing a team of support staff and vendor partners. Additionally, he will oversee the upcoming campus upgrades including new athletic fields, a new campus quad, and will work closely with Gunston’s Director of Sustainability Brad Hirsh on the development of the recently-acquired 40 acres of property that include plans for outdoor educational spaces, trails, signage, and more.

“Mike offers a unique combination of buildings and grounds experience, coupled with a deep understanding of a core Gunston priority–environmental sustainability,” said Head of School John Lewis.

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), now in its sixth year.

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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.