Montclair Kimberley Academy: A Legacy of Achievement Through Notable Alumni
Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA), located in Montclair, Essex County, New Jersey, boasts a rich history and a commitment to "Knowledge, Vision, Integrity." Established in 1974 through the merger of Montclair Academy, The Kimberley School, and Brookside School, MKA has evolved into a leading private, coeducational institution. As of the 2021-22 school year, MKA had an enrollment of 1,025 students (plus 26 in PreK) and 168.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 6.1:1.
The academy's roots trace back to 1887 with the founding of Montclair Academy, initially a college preparatory school for boys. The Kimberley School was established in 1906, and Brookside School followed in 1925. Today, MKA continues to build on this legacy, fostering an environment where students excel academically, artistically, and athletically. A testament to its success lies in the accomplishments of its alumni, who have made significant contributions across diverse fields.
Academic Excellence and Innovative Programs
MKA offers a college preparatory curriculum, featuring Signature Programs in Ethics, Writing, and the MKA Core, which focuses on works of western and non-western literary, artistic, musical, historical, or mathematical significance. Each graduating senior is required to complete May Term, which includes internships and travel opportunities in Europe and Asia. French and Spanish are offered from Pre-K onwards; Latin and Chinese in 6th grade. The school's commitment to academic excellence is further demonstrated by its state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced technology, science labs supporting research-based learning, and a library and educational hub known as the Johnson Family Academic Center, which opened in January 2016. MKA is constructing a 27,000-square-foot (2,500 m2) STEM facility at the Upper School, called the Inquiry and Innovation Center.
100% of students go on to college, with an 87% acceptance rate to one of their first three colleges of choice.
Arts and Athletics
MKA provides extensive opportunities in fine and performing arts. The Fine and Performing Arts department is run by Nicole Hoppe. The school puts on four productions each academic year, including one large-scale musical. On average, up to a quarter of the student body participates in the musical in some capacity. The school additionally puts on an arts showcase in September, and one to two plays each year, in the fall and in the spring. The department oversees the production of an arts newsletter, The Informer, published several times each semester. Each year, students are recognized for their work on stage and in the fine arts.
Read also: A Look at Montclair State's Branding
The school has an interscholastic athletic program and fields competitive teams in over 25 sports that have won over 100 championships in the past 10 years. The girls fencing team was the overall state champion in 1980-1983 and 1985-1990. The boys tennis team was Non-Public B/C state champion in 1983 (defeating Mater Dei High School in the final match of the tournament), 1984 (vs. Gloucester Catholic High School), 1989 (vs. Moorestown Friends School) and 1990 (vs. Morrestown Friends). The 1984 team won the parochial state championship against Christian Brothers Academy and went on to win the overall state championship, defeating runner-up Princeton High School 4-1.
The boys tennis team was the 2009 Prep B state co-champion. The team also made it to the finals of the 2007 North Non-Public B state championship where they lost to Newark Academy 3-2. The 2008 team would repeat their 2007 success by making it back to the finals of the North Non-Public B state championship in which they lost 3-2. The 2008 team also won the Colonial Hills Conference and Essex County Championships. The girls tennis team won the Non-Public B state championship in 1986 (defeating runner-up Wildwood Catholic Academy in the tournament's final round), 1990 (vs. Moorestown Friends School), 1994 (vs. Moorestown Friends), 2003 (vs. Holy Spirit High School), 2004 (vs. Holy Spirit), 2005 (vs. Moorestown Friends), 2006 (vs. Sacred Heart High School) and 2012 (vs. Gill St. Bernard's School); the program's eight state titles are tied for seventh-most in the state.
The baseball team has won four Prep B state titles since 1991, most recently in 2009, and six Colonial Hills Conference Championships, the most recent was in 2009 when the Cougars were named the Colonial Hills Conference Co-Champions. The MKA baseball has also won three Non Public B North crowns, in 1997, 2002 and 2009. In 2002 the Cougars were led by Frank Herrmann who pitched in MLB for the Cleveland Indians. The Cougars' head baseball coach since 1991, Ralph Pacifico, won his 300th game in 2007. In 2009 MKA Baseball captured both the conference title and the Prep B championship. Pacifico was named Coach of the Year in the Colonial Hills Conference. On June 2, 2009, MKA defeated St.
The softball team won the Non-Public B state championship in 1999 (defeating Sacred Heart High School in the tournament final), 2000 (vs. St. Joseph High School of Hammonton), 2002 (vs. Gloucester Catholic High School), 2004 (vs. Sacred Heart), 2005 (vs. Holy Spirit High School), 2006 (vs. Gloucester Catholic), 2007 and 2009 (vs. St. Joseph - Hammonton both years). The eight state championships is tied for second-most among schools in the state and the 10 finals appearances are the fourth most, while the streak of four consecutive titles from 2004 to 2007 is tied for second longest. The 1999 team finished the season with a 24-6 record after winning the Parochial B title with a 5-0 win in the championship game against Sacred Heart. The 2007 team finished the season with a record of 21-6 after winning the Non-Public B state title with a 2-0 win against St.
The boys soccer team won the Non-Public Group B state championship in 2006 (against Wildwood Catholic High School in the finals of the tournament), 2011 (vs. Gill St. Bernard's School) and 2012 (vs. Gill St. Bernard's) The boys' soccer team were Prep B State Champions and NJSIAA sectional finalists, and won North Parochial B and overall Non-Public B championship in 2006, the school's first-ever wins in the tournament. The 2007 and 2009 teams also won the Prep B state championship. The 2011 team finished the season with a 21-2-2 record, winning the Prep B state championship and earning the NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship with a 1-0 overtime win against Gill St.
Read also: MSU Notable Graduates
The girls' volleyball team won the 2006 and 2007 Colonial Hills Conference Championship. In 2007, the team had a 19-1 record, winning the 2007 Colonial Hills Conference Championship, came in 2nd in the 2007 Essex County Tournament and won the 2007 Prep B state championship. In 2008, Coach Tony Jones led the boys' basketball team to the school's first Prep B championship for the sport, defeating Collegiate School 82-59. Kyrie Irving, who was a Sophomore at the time, became the school's second 1,000 point scorer two days earlier in the semi-final game against top seeded and defending champion Solomon Schechter. MKA boys cross country through 2014-2017 won four consecutive Prep B state championships, including a Non-Public B championship in 2014 and top 3 finishes in 2015 and 2017. This dominance not matched nearly by any other MKA sports program was led by coach Thomas Fleming until his death in the spring of 2017 where he suffered from a heart attack during a track meet.
Honoring Alumni Achievements
Montclair Kimberley Academy annually celebrates the accomplishments of its extraordinary alumni. Four awards specifically honor outstanding alumni achievement: The Distinguished Alumni Award, The Young Alumni Award, The Honorary Alumni Award, and The Biennial Athletic Hall of Fame Award. Additionally, the Alumni Association presents the Founders’ Cup each June to honor teaching excellence. The entire alumni and greater MKA community are invited to submit nominations for any of the awards presented.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The purpose of the Montclair Kimberley Academy Distinguished Alumni Award is to bestow recognition and appreciation for alumni who have achieved distinction in a field of endeavor, or, through outstanding character or dedication, have been of special service to humanity. The award is a meritorious reflection on the school and provides inspiration and encouragement for our young people. An alumnus may nominate themselves or be nominated by alumni or others. Eligibility for Nomination Must be an alumnus of either MA, TKS, or MKA. The nomination can be a posthumous award.
Recipients of this prestigious award include:
- 2025 - Jim Friedlich ’75: CEO of The Lenfest Institute for Journalism
- 2024 - Polly Smith ’67: 8x Emmy Winner and Inventor of the Sports Bra
- 2023 - Macaya Douoguih, M.D., M.P.H. ’90: Head of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Janssen Vaccines and Prevention
- 2022 - Ryan Young '91: Chief Operating Officer of Textile Exchange
- 2021 - Stephen M. Smith MD '81: Infectious Disease specialist and Founder of Smith Center for Infectious Disease & Urban Health PA
- 2020 - Thomas Galligan '73: Dean and Professor of Law, LSU Paul M. Herbert Law Center
- 2019 - Nithya Nathan-Pineau, Esq. '03: Senior Program Director-Detained Children's Program
- 2018 - Dr. Lawrence Rosen '84: Integrative Pediatrician and founder of the "Whole Child Center"
- 2017 - Dr. Karestan Chase Koenen ’86: Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
- 2016 - Dr. Chris H. Smith '85: Clinical Associate Professor at USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
- 2015 - Kassie Canter ’75: Executive VP of Communications, Viacom Music & Entertainment Group
- 2014 - Susan Schadler ’69: Economist, International Monetary Fund (retired)
- 2013 - Paige Cottingham-Streater ’79: International relations expert
- 2012 - Bruce Guernsey ’62: Poet and educator
- 2011 - Sally Minard ’60: Philanthropist and businesswoman
- 2010 - Nancy Booth Kelly ’52: Philanthropist and businesswoman
- 2009 - Jeffrey B. Kindler ’73: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer and philanthropist
- 2008 - Dr. Alphonsus “Rick” Doerr, Jr. ’78: Surgeon and Olympic sailor
- 2007 - Melissa Cohn ’78: Philanthropist and businesswoman
- 2006 - Peter N. Perretti, Jr. ’49: Attorney General for the State of New Jersey and Academy trustee
- 2005 - Ross I.S. Zbar ’84: Surgeon and humanitarian
- 2004 - Virginia Hamilton Adair ’29: Poet and educator
- 2003 - Barry W. Ridings ’70: Investment banker, Lazard Frères’ Restructuring Group
- 2002 - Laura Scher ’76: Pioneering entrepreneur, Working Assets Funding Service
- 2001 - Parker B. Armstrong ’37: Vice Admiral, USN (retired)
- 2000 - James E. Johnson ’ 79: Undersecretary of the Treasury for Enforcement
- 1999 - William H. Cook ’30: Aeronautical engineer, Boeing Aircraft
- 1998 - Robert L. Clifford ’42: New Jersey Supreme Court Justice
- 1997 - Peter V. K. Funk ’39: Author and lexical semanticist
- 1996 - Doris Keller Hamlin ’36: Pioneering environmentalist
- 1995 - Herbert H. Tate Jr. ’71: President, N.J. Board of Public Utilities
- 1994 - Rudolph H. Deetjen ’50: Educator
- 1993 - Ellen R. Malcolm ’65: Founder, EMILY’s List
- 1992 - Michael S. Yamashita ’67: International photographer
- 1991 - Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner ’70: Founder, Lyme Disease Foundation
- 1990 - Thomas G. Stockham Jr. ’51: Electrical engineer and inventor of digital recording
- 1989 - Philip L. Fradkin ’53: Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
- 1988 - Aubin Zabriskie Ames ’54: Quintessential volunteer
- 1987 - James A. Courter ’62: U.S. congressman and military expert
- 1986 - Joseph E. Mintz ’27
- 1974 - Roger B. Etherington ’41: President, American National Bank & Trust Co.
- 1973 - S. Barksdale Penick Jr. ’21: President, S.B. Penick Co., New York
- 1972 - Arthur A. Goldman ’25: Hotelier and owner, All Seasons Hotel & Golf Club
- 1971 - Dallas S. Townsend Jr.: Ambassador to Colombia (1939-1942), Cuba (1942-1945) and Argentina (1945)
- 1969 - Howard Van Vleck ’22: Landscape architect and Academy trustee
- 1968 - Richard B. Scudder ’31: Publisher, Newark Evening News
- 1967 - Gustave E. Wiedenmayer ’25: President, National Newark and Essex Banking Co.
- **1966 - James S. Lay: ** Ambassador to Great Britain (1947-1950)
- 1962 - Edwin D. Etherington ’42: President, American Stock Exchange, and President, Wesleyan University
Young Alumni Award
This annual award recognizes an alumna or alumnus who graduated from MKA within the past 15 years, has demonstrated significant service to MKA, and/or has made significant contributions to their profession and community. The accomplishments being considered need not be publicly renowned but should reflect a deep and inspirational commitment to the improvement of society. Eligibility for Nomination Must have graduated from MKA in the past fifteen years of the award year. Nominees may nominate themselves or be nominated by alumni or others. The nomination can be a posthumous award.
Read also: Applying to Montclair State: GPA Expectations
Recent recipients include:
- 2025 - Robert Pannullo '13
- 2024 - Dillon Carroll '16
- 2023 - Kassie Dantzler Press '06, Ph.D.
- 2022 - Melanie Brady '08
- 2021 - Isaiah Thompson '15
- 2020 - Kristen Vdorick '06
- 2019 - Lauren Morisseau '11
- 2018 - Devika Patel '12
Athletic Hall of Fame Award
Presented every other year, the Athletic Hall of Fame Award recognizes those who have brought distinction, honor, and excellence to the school through athletics. All honorees must have been an outstanding varsity athlete, coach, athletic director, trainer, or major contributor (financial and/or participant) at MA, TKS, or MKA, and/or brought distinction to the school through related and subsequent athletic accomplishment. Eligibility for Nomination A nominee may nominate themselves or be nominated by alumni or others. A nominee must have attended MA, TKS, Brookside, or MKA for at least one year. A nominee must have graduated from MA, TKS, Brookside, or MKA at least five years prior to the year of nomination. A team and/or coach may be inducted. The nomination can be a posthumous award.
Inductees include:
- 2021: Paul Edwards, lacrosse coach
- 2020: Robert Fortunato '08, lacrosse
- 2018: Alexander Gephart '06, lacrosse; George Hrab, coach and athletic director
- 2015: Edward Conlin ’84, lacrosse; Karen Ladenheim-Martos ’85, fencing
- 2013: Wiemi Douoguih ’88, lacrosse; Caitlin Lehmann ’01 (posthumous), swimming
- 2011: Frank Herrmann ’02, baseball; Chisako Sugiyama ’05, tennis
- 2009: Terry Detorie, girls’ soccer, basketball and softball coach; Anthony Barnes ’79, football, basketball, track
- 2007: Gerard “Jeff” Podesta ’35, tennis; Lauren Stefanchik ’01, softball
- 2005: Nancy Tiernan Swenson ’42; John Pellecchia ’84; Liza Boutsikaris ’99
- 2004: Jennifer Lonsinger Rutherford ’92, soccer, basketball, lacrosse; 1984 boys’ lacrosse team
- 2003: Gloria Evans Dodd ’43, tennis, platform tennis; Gerald Jones ’77, track; Solomon Johnson ’87, football; Wayne Elliott ’88, tennis, soccer; 1954 men’s basketball team
- 2002: Maryl Riter Walker ’39, equestrian; Peter S. McMullen ’77, ice hockey; Alphonsus “Rick” Doerr ’78, sailing; Tom Boutsikaris, fencing coach; 1988 girls’ fencing team
- 2001: Mark Baran ’74, swimming, water polo; Judith Dixon ’67, tennis; William Hall ’82, lacrosse; Jeremy Kahn ’93, fencing; Betty Logan (posthumous), field hockey coach
- 2000: David Jacobs ’40, football; Max Jones ’78, football, lacrosse; India Hayes Larrier ’80, fencing; Mark McGowan ’85, football, golf; Earl Perretti ’74, wrestling, cycling; Alexa Magna Yannuzzi ’87, tennis
- 1999: Donald Bren ’48, football; James Johnson ’79, track; Elizabeth Nolley ’86, all-around; Michael Sucoff ’56, football, baseball, track; Jill Tobia Sorger ’88, fencing, tennis; 1984 boys’ tennis team
- 1998: Georgia S. Carrington ’54, racquet sports; E. Alden Dunham ’49, tennis; Laura Marnell Garvey ’78, basketball; 1982 ice hockey team
- 1997: Robert J. Cerfolio ’80, baseball; Kimberley E. Charlton ’90, fencing; Waldemar L. Deetjen ’12 (posthumous), all-around; Philip E. Donlin ’54, football
- 1996: Betsy Gelenitis Alison ’77, sailing; Robert T. Cottingham Jr. ’84, fencing; Helen Jones Gordon ’42, equestrian; Sean Jones ’80, football; Mary Rachael Hayes McDaniel ’82, fencing; Carmen M. Marnell, coach; Scott Schulte ’77, water polo; Edwin Van Brunt (posthumous), coach
Founders' Cup Award
The Founders’ Cup Award, established in 1993, recognizes MKA’s strong tradition of teaching excellence dating back to 1887. The award is presented to an outstanding faculty member representative of the best qualities of teaching at MKA, inside and outside of the classroom, including coaching and mentoring. The Alumni Association welcomes nominations for the Founders’ Cup award from all members of the MKA family, including current students, parents, alumni, administration, and faculty. Eligibility for Nomination Must be a full-time MKA faculty member. Course load must be at least 50% of the time. Must be devoted to teaching. Must have already completed, prior to the award year, three full years of teaching at MKA.
Recent recipients include:
- 2025 - Daniela Vespucci, Primary School Third Grade
- 2024 - Shelia Smith, Middle School Fourth Grade
- 2023 - Ruth Miller, Middle School English
- 2022 - CherylAnne Amendola, Middle School History
- 2021- Alex Langbein ’03, Primary School Kindergarten
- 2020 - Caroline Toman, Upper School English
- 2019 - Tony Jones, Upper School Science
- 2018 - Nicole Hoppe, Upper School Fine & Performing Arts
- 2017 - Thomas Fleming, Middle School Grade 4 and Cross Country/Track and Field Coach
- 2016 - Dimitri Hadjipetkov, Tri-Campus Strings Director
- 2015 - Ken Smith, Middle School PE
- 2014 - John Jacobs, Upper School Latin
- 2013 - David Hessler, Upper School History
- 2012 - Ben Goodrich, Upper School Math
- 2011 - Michael Houston, Upper School French
- 2010 - Nancy Gratz, Middle School Math
- 2009 - Jane Smith, Primary School Music
- 2008 - Patricia Forbes, Upper School English
- 2007 - Sonia Tyson, Primary School Spanish
- 2006 - Lynn Salehi, Middle School History
- 2005 - Barbara DuRant, Primary School Art
- 2004 - Geoffrey Branigan, Upper School History
- 2003 - Laura Lemaire, Middle School, Grade 4
- 2002 - J. C. Svec, Upper School Fine and Performing Arts
- 2001 - Donna Blanes, Primary School, Grade 1
- 2000 - George E. Berry III, Upper School English
- 1999 - Ken Bishe, Middle School History
- 1998 - Linda Stark, Middle School English
- 1997 - Karen Newman, Upper School English
- 1996 - George Hrab, Upper School Science
- 1995 - Pat Parke, Primary School, Grade 2
- 1994 - Ken Gibson, Upper School History
- 1993 - Helen Faulkner, Middle School Math
Honorary Alumni Award
The Honorary Alumni Award was created in spring 2010 to address both the perceived need for and the strong desire of the MKA Alumni Council to honor those members of the MKA family who have made a significant, easily recognizable, and direct impact on MKA students. Eligibility for Nomination Does not need to be a current faculty, staff, or administrator. Must be a faculty or employee, in any capacity, of the school for at least 10 years. The nomination can be a posthumous award.
Recent recipients include:
- 2025 - Spencer Pyke
- 2024 - Ralph Pacifico
- 2023 - Patty Forbes
- 2022 - Joe Romaglia
- 2021 - George Hrab
- 2020 - Tom Nammack
- 2019 - Ronnie Califano
- 2018 - Ginger Kriegel
- 2017 - Debra Allen
- 2016 - Mary Elliot
- 2014 - Donna Carrara and Nixon Bicknell
- 2013 - Elvoid Christmas
- 2012 - Nate Fuller (posthumous) and Dr. David Flocco
- 2011 - Al Rehus and Robert C. Page
Alumni in the Arts
Siblings and actors Kristen and Will Connolly, respective members of the MKA Classes of 1998 and 2003, were the subject of a major feature in The Newark Star Ledger on January 9. Entitled "Move over Barrymores, here comes … the Connollys" reporter Ronni Reich profiled the remarkable success of the two, both of whom began their careers with lead roles in MKA Middle and Upper School productions.
Kristen has enjoyed success on both stage and screen, with TV roles in Guiding Light and As the World Turns, film roles in Mona Lisa Smile,Revolutionary Road and as the lead in the upcoming The Cabin in the Woods directed by Joss Whedon, and stage roles including with Shakespeare in the Park, and most recently, as Cordelia to Sam Waterston's King Lear at the Public Theater in New York.
Meanwhile, brother Will is set to debut on Broadway in the musical Once. The show enjoyed a sold-out run off-Broadway and opens at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre next month. His theatrical path has included co-founding a theater company in New Orleans and co-writing a musical Fly By Night that has been performed in California and that he hopes to see staged on the east coast soon.
MKA Middle School theater teacher Christian Ely who worked with both Kristen and Will recalls, "I enjoyed working with them because they approached the theatre with great passion and rigor."
Michael J. Pollard (1939-2019), was an actor best known for playing the character C. W. Moss in Bonnie and Clyde (1967).
Alumni Council
The MKA Alumni Council plays a vital role in fostering connections within the alumni community and supporting the school's mission. The council is comprised of dedicated alumni who volunteer their time and expertise to strengthen alumni relationships and promote engagement.
Current members of the Alumni Council include:
- Stuart Harwood ’07 - President: An Industrial Logistics Services Specialist at Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, Stu also assists with his family's real estate and parking services business, Harwood Properties.
- Jenna Clancey ‘03 - External Vice President: Jenna lives in Charleston, SC with her daughter and husband. She is the Director of Business Development/Business Manager at Witten Clancey Partners, their medical physics consulting company.
- Devin Bukowczyk ’05 - Treasurer: Devin Bukowczyk began her career in public relations with a focus on entertainment and wellness. She transitioned into the fitness industry by taking on managerial roles at the flagship locations of national pilates, barre and yoga studios.
- Seth Bynum '11: Seth works for Genesis Companies LLC, a minority-owned affordable housing developer that builds and owns affordable housing in New York City and New Jersey.
- Giana (Bruno) Dunn ’11: A licensed clinical social worker in both New York and New Jersey, Gianna owns a private practice in New Jersey and is a supervisor and clinician in New York.
- Aron Dyadyuk '21: Aron Dyadyuk is a finance student at Stevens Institute of Technology. He is interning in investment banking this summer.
- Jeffrey Festa ’06: Jeff Festa is senior vice president of development and programming at 32 Flavors, creating and producing a variety of projects from reality series to scripted features.
- Lisa Goldsman ’15: Lisa currently works for Saks Fifth Avenue as a Manager of marketing measurement and acceleration.
- Alex Holz ’99: Alex Holz ’99 is currently working in Music Operations at YouTube.
- Chadd Mukete ’11: Chadd currently works at Credit Suisse, on the High Yield Credit Sector Strategy Desk.
- Samora Noguera ’02: Samora is a lawyer by trade and in his spare time, I tutor kids on the SATs and LSATs.
- Kelsey O’Connor ’14: Kelsey is a Consultant with the Boston Consulting Group in New York.
- Ben Sherman ’22: Ben is a student at the University of Texas at Austin and is joining Goldman Sachs in New York City as an Investment Banking Summer Analyst.
- John Snow ’11: John is a seasoned marketing professional with over a decade of experience.
tags: #Montclair #Kimberley #Academy #notable #alumni
