Latin School of Chicago

Latin School of Chicago Magazine Spring 2009

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Alison and Geoff planting grapes on Catalina. the Rusack and Wrigley families, other endeavors illustrate their passion as well. Alison holds a leadership role as a member of the advisory board of the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, which includes the Philip K. Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina – a place for "exploration of scientific topics, environmental policy, education and other issues at the interface between science and society." Its goal is "the transformation of USC Wrigley into a pre-eminent center for research and for the development of solutions to environmental problems." In 2008, the Rusacks and Wrigleys endowed the William Wrigley Senior Fellowship at Stanford University that will support, among others, the Woods Institute for the Environment. They were motivated to provide permanent funding for an interdisciplinary faculty post as part of Stanford's multidisciplinary research on global environmental policy. At Bowdoin College, where Geoff is an alumnus and trustee, the Rusacks have established a Chair for the Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies. In addition, they have supported Bowdoin's Coastal Center by providing a new coastal studies dock that greatly increases opportunities for students to engage in marine science beyond the bounds of the property to the surrounding waters of Casco Bay and the Gulf of Maine. Family, History and Philanthropy Alison Wrigley Rusack's life is filled with history, conservancy, family, and a gracious and generous spirit. Among her memories of her Latin School days are teachers like Mrs. Maj, principal Mrs. Marston, and Mr. Workman. Experiences such as her sixthgrade class trip to Springfield remain crystal clear. Alison stays in touch with close friends Victoria Flanagan-Defty '76 and Elizabeth Cummings Lemos '76, as well as Alicia Howington Ziegler '76 and Susan Arnett Hyman '76, and remembers fondly their group of guitar players. Alison's Latin education was central to her successes in life. "I was so well prepared by Latin, I could have gone from Latin to Stanford after ninth grade. . . Latin is the reason why I was able to succeed at Stanford. I learned grammar, read widely, absorbed sophisticated vocabulary, and I learned how to weave words into meaningful sentences." Alison's story is remarkable for its love of the land and respect for ecology that began in childhood. Her story is poignant in its passion for family, history and service. From a Chicago beginning and a Latin School education, to a worldwide impact on the environment, her genuine spirit of commitment to the world is leaving its mark. Yet to Alison, these accomplishments are simply continuing on a path that she has been raised to follow. "In our family, history means a lot to us," she says. "We preserve, we restore. We grew up believing that you work, and you contribute." • – Linda Hennelly The Rusacks' bestselling Santa Rita Hills Reserve Pinot Noir. Latin School of Chicago 23

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