1990s
Dr. Jennifer Rubenstein ’92, associate professor of Politics at the University of Virginia, recently published an article, “Small Money Donating As Democratic Politics,” through the Cambridge University Press. The article touches on the significance of small money donations to political causes and how they might be a source of democratic potential. Click here to learn more.
The Empire Tennis Academy led by Jason Speirs ’99 was named organization of the year.
From the United States Tennis Association website:
“The Empire Tennis Academy, led by Jason Speirs in Rochester N.Y., has been named USTA Eastern’s 2020 Member Organization of the Year for its eclectic variety of programming and overall commitment to service within the Rochester community.
“The organization—which consists of eight courts (three indoor, five outdoor) and is located on the campus of the Harley School in Rochester—has been owned and operated by Speirs (above, far right) since 2016. It was a homecoming of sorts for Speirs. The Rochester native grew up playing tennis at the very same facility, when it was known as the Dave Strebel Tennis Academy; then-owner Strebel became a great, lifelong mentor and was instrumental in helping Speirs gain admission to the private school that shared an address with his business. Speirs eventually left Rochester to attend Assumption University in Massachusetts, and then upon graduation moved down to New York City, where he found a job as a hitter at the Roosevelt Island Racquet Club. He spent 12 years moving up the ranks at Roosevelt, eventually ascending to its Director of Tennis. Then, just when he was starting to think about the future, he received an offer he ultimately couldn’t refuse.”
Update on Empire Tennis Academy: (https://www.usta.com/en/home/stay-current/eastern/2020-usta-eastern-organization-of-the-year-recipient.html.).
Students may create independent studies with supervising teachers throughout their Upper School experience or, during Grade 12, they can design Capstone projects—intensive collaborations with Harley faculty and off-campus mentors—involving rigorous academic study and culminating in public presentations.