Dear Country Day Alumni and Friends,

Welcome to Cincinnati Country Day School’s 97^th academic year!

I am excited to be back for another year leading this extraordinary community. Although last year was one of transition – a new head of school, a new mission, a tentative emergence from Covid – it was a wonderful year at Country Day. We reclaimed some semblance of normalcy, came together as a community, and celebrated our students’ remarkable achievements. In the relay race of education, we passed the baton smoothly and kept running. 

But if last year was the passing of the baton, this year we are sprinting. Our 97^th academic year promises to be especially exciting because, as we approach our centennial celebration in 2026, we are embarking on a new strategic planning process. We view our 100-year anniversary as an important opportunity to celebrate our history and establish a strong foundation for the next century of Country Day. Our planning process will help us meet this important moment by leveraging our tradition of excellence to meet the challenges of today’s dynamic world. 

Country Day’s alumni comprise our legacy, linking our past to our future. We are proud of your many accomplishments, grateful for the example you set today’s students, and sincerely thankful for your ongoing support of the school. In the coming weeks, I will share more information about how you can participate in the strategic planning process. Because your voice is so important to our school’s strategic identity, I encourage you to join in our community discussion. 

I have been in the Country Day community for 28 years, but I have never been prouder of CCDS than I am after last year. It is an honor to lead this wonderful school and a privilege to continue to share the story of our alma mater as we begin to plan for the centennial. I can’t wait for the year to begin.

Thank you for all that you do, and stay connected!

Meet the Advancement Team!

The advancement team has seen much change in the last twelve months. As we kick off a new school year, we wanted to (re)introduce ourselves. Please don't hesitate to contact us. We love to hear from our alums, their families, and friends of the school! 

Louise Vaughan

Director of Advancement

Louise leads the advancement team and oversees all aspects of fundraising and alumni engagement. She is also a member of the school's administrative leadership team.

[email protected]

513.979.0284

Peter Fossett '80

Associate Director of Alumni and Legacy Giving

Peter maintains a robust program for alumni engagement, and helps parents and alumni achieve their philanthropic goals through major and planned gifts.

[email protected]

513.979.0283

Casey Santi

Associate Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement

Casey is responsible for the school’s annual giving initiatives, including The Country Day Fund, and works with alumni to keep them engaged with the school.

[email protected]

513.979.0281

Sarah Snowden

Associate Director of Campaigns

Sarah is responsible for capital and endowment campaign planning and execution. As a major gifts officer, she helps parents achieve their philanthropic goals. 

[email protected]

513.979.0282

Emily Zunda

Director of Stewardship & Data Services

Emily is responsible for the stewardship of gifts to the school, maintaining the school’s donor and alumni database, and all aspects of data reporting.

[email protected]

513.979.0280

Kathy Paff

Advancement Coordinator

Kathy is responsible for coordinating a wide range of advancement-related events, including Homecoming and CountryDate, and provides administrative support to the team.

[email protected]

513.979.0285

Homecoming and Reunion Weekend 2022

Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24

ALUMNI RECEPTION

Friday, September 23

5:30 p.m.

Tennis Complex

All alumni gather for a special evening featuring cocktails, bourbon tasting and bites from favorite Cincinnati establishments.

HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME

7:00 p.m.

Brian J. Bortz Family Stadium

ALUMNI BREAKFAST

Saturday, September 24

10:30 a.m.

Upper School Dining Terrace

Alumni breakfast honoring the Class of 1972 and 50+ year alumni. All alumni are welcome. Includes the presentation of the Virtue in Action Award and Distinguished Alum Award.

All events are gratis, courtesy of the CCDS Alumni Association.

Mark your calendars and join us!

Please contact Kathy Paff, advancement coordinator,

at 513-979-0285 or [email protected] with questions.

Reunions

Classes ending in ’2 and ’7 will celebrate their reunions Saturday night. It's not too late to plan your reunion! Contact Peter Fossett '80, associate director of alumni and legacy giving, at 513-979-0283 or [email protected] for more information.

The Class of 1962 is celebrating it's 60th reunion.

The Class of 1972 is celebrating it's 50th reunion.

The Class of 1987 is celebrating it's 35th reunion.

The Class of 1992 is celebrating it's 30th reunion.

Celebrating Country Day Alumni with our Annual Awards

2022 Distinguished Alumna Award:

CCDS is proud to announce that Hema Magge ’97 has been chosen as our Distinguished Alumna for 2022. Hema is a senior program officer for the Gates Foundation and focuses on global newborn health. She spent the last 10 years learning and immersing in global health and equity working with NGOs in Africa - five years in Rwanda with Partners in Heath, and then four years in Ethiopia before returning to the United States to work for the Gates Foundation.

2022 Virtue in Action Awards:

CCDS is proud to announce that Dr. Peter J. Stern '62 has been selected as one of this year's Virtue in Action Award recipients. Dr. Stern dedicated his distinguished career as an orthopaedic surgeon and professor at UC Health/UC College of Medicine to the progression of education in orthopaedic and hand surgery. He is highly esteemed for his leadership, mentoring, and lifelong contributions to his field. Dr. Stern and his wife, Sandra, are dedicated supporters of numerous organizations that work to advance health, education, and the arts in our community and beyond. This alumnus truly exemplifies our motto, Virtue in Action. 

CCDS is pleased to announce that Matthew A. Rosen ’72 has been selected as one of this year’s Virtue In Action Award recipients. Matthew believes in the importance of working for something bigger than yourself. This tradition of service, something he feels was instilled in him during his time at Country Day, is what led him to his career in the non-profit space. Matthew is currently the synagogue administrator at Congregation Beth Shalom, following service as executive director of United Methodist Cooperative Ministries and vice president of Lutheran Services Florida. He is a committed board member and past president of numerous organizations, and gladly volunteers at CCDS. 

Connections Recap

Connections, Country Day's biannual magazine, was delivered to homes in July. Didn't receive your copy? Please update your mailing address for our records and we will make sure you receive it next time!

As well as exciting updates on life at Country Day, Connections included articles on the successes and accomplishments of our alumni. Click on the links below for a small selection of the stories.

The 1926 Society's Legacy

These individuals know through firsthand experience the power of a Country Day education and have chosen to give back so that others in turn can benefit. We are deeply appreciative of their commitment. Their contributions will change students’ lives forever and strengthen the school as it moves forward into a second century.

To read about our generous donors or learn about ways to leave your Country Day legacy, visit www.ccdslegacy.org.

If you have questions or would like to speak about planned giving, please contact Peter Fossett '80, associate director of alumni and of legacy giving, at [email protected] or 513.979.0282

Pictures of the Summer

On stage at Camp Bravo! These young stars worked hard to acquire the skills to become a triple threat with daily acting, singing, and dancing classes.

STEAM campers built their own Rube Goldberg chain reaction-type machines after a week of learning about the famous cartoonist, engineer, sculptor and inventor. 

Nati the Nighthawk and Head of School Rob Zimmerman showed their patriotic pride during the 4th of July parade.

CCDSummer campers made a splash during the Cardboard Regatta.

Our newest alumni, the Class of 2022, signed yearbooks and enjoyed time with faculty and friends as they were welcomed into the CCDS Alumni Association at Senior Sendoff.

Campers enjoyed delicious Kona Ice on the last day of camp after a fun summer making lasting memories!

Fall sports pictures mark the official beginning of the fall season. The girls soccer team is fired up for a great year!

SAVE THE DATE

Support The Country Day Fund on 

Match Day!

Thursday, November 3